MALAYSIA: A reshaping of the landscape, in Mahathir’s favor
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned on Monday, ostensibly to prevent a parliamentary coup. The question of what the next government will look like remains up in the air and the timeline of Anwar’s succession is still in question. The political horizon for policymak… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username […]
SOUTH AFRICA: Mboweni’s do-or-die budget
Expectations ahead of the budget presentation on 26 February are largely pessimistic in the context of deteriorating economic growth and skyrocketing public debt. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will try – against all odds – to avert the loss of South Africa’s final … Become a member to read the rest of this article
KENYA: Budget Policy Statement aims to square the circle
The Budget Policy Statement (BPS), which is supposed to be passed by Parliament this week, marks an important step in the budget formulation process for FY2020/21, whose implementation starts in July. However, the BPS contains a key contradiction as it promises to keep capital ex… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
WEEKLY POLITICAL COMPASS
Italy and South Korea are preparing emergency measures in light of the covid-19 outbreak. China is sticking to its growth target for the year. Germany’s main governing party is speeding up its search for a new leader. Malaysia’s prime minister has resigned. Campaigning for the co… Become a member to read the rest of […]
ITALY: Government battles covid-19 outbreak
Italy is battling with the worst Coronavirus (covid-19) outbreak outside Asia, with more than 200 cases reported across five different regions, and five dead. Two major clusters of infection have been identified so far, both in the country’s economic heartland. One is south-east … Become a member to read the rest of this article
TURKEY: Shifting focus from threats to damage limitation in Idlib
On 22 February, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced plans for a four-country summit in Istanbul on 5 March to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Syrian governorate of Idlib Erdogan’s call for international negotiations represents a significant c… Become a member to read the rest of this article
US/CHINA: Key decisions on US export controls will define scope of decoupling
● Pending US decisions on technology-focused export controls will signal the breadth and depth of future economic decoupling. ● The debate within the Trump administration is pitting national-security hardliners against the pro-business faction. ● Trump appears to lean towar… Become a member to read the rest of this article
INDIA: Trump’s visit – Mostly symbolism but also an investment in the future
President Donald Trump has begun his India visit today, 24 February, amid low expectations of concrete deliverables. A trade deal is already off the table with the unavoidable collision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” and President Trump’s “America First”… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Mboweni’s do-or-die budget
● Expectations ahead of the budget presentation on 26 February are largely pessimistic in the context of deteriorating economic growth and skyrocketing public debt. ● Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will try – against all odds – to avert the loss of South Africa’s final investme… Become a member to read the rest of this […]