Slovenia elected Nataša Pirc Musar as the nation's first female president in December 2022. A career jurist and journalist, she secured the victory following a runoff against Anže Logar. Her ascent to the head of state followed decades of work in data privacy law, public communications, and a decade-long tenure as the country's Information Commissioner.
Journalism and Legal Education
Born in 1968 in Ljubljana, Pirc Musar attended Poljane Grammar School before completing her law degree at the University of Ljubljana in 1992. She began her professional life in broadcasting, working for six years as a journalist and news host at Radio-Television Slovenia, followed by five years presenting the 24UR news program on POP TV. Her media training expanded through international internships at BBC, Sky News, Reuters TV, and CNN. She ultimately earned a PhD from the University of Vienna in 2015, focusing her dissertation on the balance between privacy rights and public information access.
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From 2004 to 2014, she served as Slovenia's Information Commissioner, a role that defined her public reputation as an advocate for transparency and privacy protections. After departing that office, she established her own law firm, eventually partnering with Rosana Lemut Strle. Her private practice handled high-profile litigation, including the representation of Melania Trump during the Trump presidency. Her legal expertise led to her being frequently named among the country's ten most influential lawyers between 2010 and 2021.
Political Ascension
Pirc Musar entered the 2022 presidential race as an independent candidate, securing support from various centre-left and pro-European factions. Though she encountered a brief period of internal party friction, her campaign gained momentum after the withdrawal of opponent Marta Kos. Upon winning the presidency, she adopted a stance emphasizing democratic institutions and the rule of law. In 2025, she drew international attention for a critique of Security Council powers regarding their approach to global conflicts.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Ljubljana
- Presidency began: December 2022
- Information Commissioner tenure: 2004–2014
- Academic background: University of Ljubljana, University of Salford, University of Vienna
- Key legal specialty: Privacy and freedom of information law
- Spouse: Aleš Musar
- Languages: Slovene, English, Croatian, Serbian
Questions readers ask
Was she affiliated with a political party during her presidential run?
No, she ran as an independent candidate and maintains no formal party affiliation.
What was the result of her 2014 appointment to RTV Slovenia?
She was selected as Director-General, but legal disputes led to the annulment of her appointment, which was later deemed unlawful by a court.
Achievements
- President of Slovenia (from 2022)
- Educated at University of Ljubljana and University of Vienna
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