Can I leave Slovenia during the five years and still keep my path to permanent residence?

Continuity is the key concept. A single absence of less than six consecutive months will not break the five-year clock, and your combined absences across the whole period must stay under ten months in total.

There is a more generous rule if you were sent abroad to work by your employer during an existing employment relationship in Slovenia. In that case longer absences can still count toward continuous residence. If you expect extended time outside the country, keep documentation, because the administrative unit will assess whether your residence was truly continuous.