SOUTH AFRICA: Annual address fails to paper over credibility cracks
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 11 February seemed even more divorced from reality than usual, amid a terrible public health, economic and social backdrop. The long, detail-packed speech is unlikely to address the government’s growing lack of cre… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username […]
US/CHINA: Biden-Xi call suggests possibilities for progress
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call on 10 February, the first direct contact between the US and Chinese heads of state since March 2020. As with last week’s call between Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Yang Jiechi, director of the Comm… Become a member to read […]
BRAZIL: Congress flexing muscles as “imperative” emergency assistance stalls
As foreseen, both pro-government candidates won the presiding posts in the House and the Senate on 1 February on the basis of pork and patronage. The risk of impeachment has decreased accordingly but both new House Speaker Arthur Lira from the Progressives (PP) and Senate Chairma… Become a member to read the rest of […]
EUROPE: CEE PULSE
Belarus plans to hold a referendum on a new constitution in early 2022. In Poland, a split in the junior coalition party, Agreement, threatens a parliamentary majority of the United Right government, which is under pressure to drop the proposed advertising tax. Romania’s governme… Become a member to read the rest of this article
COLOMBIA: Another tax reform edges into view amid risk of ratings downgrade
President Ivan Duque on 8 February announced that a tax reform – the third of his presidency – would be presented in the next legislative period, which runs from March to June. While the need for fiscal reforms is ever-present, the pandemic-induced economic crisis has made it muc… Become a member to read the […]
THAILAND: Protests return for 2021, but with still no endgame in sight
After nearly two months, protests have restarted. Health concerns may limit the size and frequency of rallies in the near term. The main question remains the ability of the protest movement to broaden its base. Protesters have taken to the street… Become a member to read the rest of this article