SOUTH AFRICA: Nationwide lockdown from Thursday
● President Cyril Ramaphosa has invoked the Disaster Management Act to enforce a nationwide lockdown from 26 March until 16 April to limit the spread of COVID-19. ● Taking its cue from Asian models, the administration is opting for decisive early-stage intervention, in the hop… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
ITALY: Crisis mismanagement and toxic politics prevail
As Italy enters a crucial week to confirm if a trend reversal has been achieved in terms of new daily infections, the political atmosphere is becoming increasingly toxic. This is mainly due to the government’s inept crisis-management and the opposition’s propensity to exploit the… Become a member to read the rest of this article
NIGERIA: CBN caving in to FX pressure, but not without a fight
The official response to the oil price crash and the COVID-19-induced economic crisis continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The division of labor is clear: the federal government zeroes in on cutting expenditure and shoring up the shrinking revenue base, while it falls to the Cent… Become a member to read the rest […]
INDIA: Large parts of the country under lockdown; but is it enough?
Around 100 million people across 80 districts, spanning 17 states and 5 federally-run union territories, are in lockdown until at least 31 March, as COVID-19 cases went up to 428 with seven deaths. Most mass transport systems have stopped operating: railways and domestic airlines… Become a member to read the rest of this article
JAPAN: Abe increasingly prepared for postponement of Tokyo 2020
● The International Olympic Committee (IOC), under pressure from national committees, has indicated that over the next four weeks it will consider alternatives to hosting the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics as planned. ● Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is unlikely to pay much of a politi… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
EUROPE: The politics of coronavirus – Daily update
Below is the latest edition of our daily Europe coronavirus update. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. Graph of the day European Union EU finance ministers will convene a teleconference today, 23… Become a member to read the rest of […]
LATAM PULSE
This week, Brazil continues to prepare for the growing stress on its national health system arising from COVID-19 despite political rifts. Chile, which continues to tighten containment measures, has bowed to the inevitable and postponed the constitutional referendum set for late-… Become a member to read the rest of this article
WEEKLY POLITICAL COMPASS
Italy is bracing for what might be a crucial week in the fight against the virus. Eurozone members are debating financial support measures. China is looking to make up for virus-related economic losses. Japan is preparing for a delay of the Olympics. In South Africa, calls are in… Become a member to read the rest of this article