Latam October 21, 2021 BRAZIL: Pandemic report less harmful than the economy for Bolsonaro Brazil, Politics Mario Marconini The 1,178-page report presented on 20 October by the rapporteur of the Senate inquiry (CPI) into the pandemic, Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), is unprecedented. Indictments were requested for more than 65 people in relation to 12 crimes. At the top... Read More...
Africa October 21, 2021 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Debt restructuring talk targets private creditors Sub-Saharan Africa, Politics Anne Frühauf, Malte Liewerscheidt While the G20 advocate for a recalibration of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s pandemic management support, reforms and more comprehensive solutions to debt problems remain a medium-term prospect. Yet in the hardest hit countries, pressure on private creditors to partake... Read More...
Asia October 21, 2021 CHINA: Power shortages lead to durable market reforms China, Politics Gabriel Wildau Severe power rationing has led to significant long-term reforms to China’s electricity pricing system that go beyond emergency stop-gap measures. Under the new system, coal-powered generators can pass on higher coal prices to electricity users; the changes also force coal... Read More...
Africa October 21, 2021 SOUTH AFRICA: Who will be the biggest winner of the municipal elections? Politics, South Africa Anne Frühauf The African National Congress (ANC) will likely be the biggest loser of the 1 November municipal elections, but its loss will not be the gain of the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). Smaller parties, not only the Economic Freedom Fighters... Read More...
Europe October 21, 2021 CEE: Economic and political challenges resurface with pandemic resurgence Politics Andrius Tursa Countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are struggling to cope with the resurging pandemic amid low vaccination rates and widespread prevalence of the Delta strain. The inevitable return of tough restrictions will hamper economic recovery and could delay fiscal... Read More...
Asia October 21, 2021 Sri Lanka: Facing an economic crisis – but IMF is not an option (for now) Sri Lanka, Politics Aditi Phadnis Low revenue from tourism, plummeting foreign remittances and legacy debts from the sovereign bond market are pushing Sri Lanka in the general direction of default This is exacerbated by errors in the island’s tea-production strategy However, help from multilateral lending institutions... Read More...
Europe October 21, 2021 GERMANY: Weidmann’s resignation and the euro dilemma of the political right Germany, Politics Carsten Nickel Regardless of who gets to succeed Jens Weidmann as Bundesbank president, it is important to recall that even conservative policymakers like him have not stopped the ECB’s unconventional approach. In contrast with previous resignations, Weidmann did not step down during... Read More...
Asia October 21, 2021 MYANMAR: What ASEAN’s exclusion of the junta means Myanmar, Politics Bob Herrera-Lim In an uncharacteristic rebuke, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this week barred coup and junta leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing — chair of the junta’s State Administration Council (SAC) and the “interim prime minister” — from attending... Read More...
Europe October 21, 2021 EUROPE: Managing the pandemic – what we are watching Europe, Politics vaccines, editorial, covid-19 Andrius Tursa, Antonio Barroso, Carsten Nickel, Wolfango Piccoli This updated weekly piece provides snapshots of how selected European governments are dealing with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail. United Kingdom –... Read More...
Asia October 20, 2021 JAPAN: TINA, turnout, and structural advantages make LDP the best electoral bet Japan, Politics James Brady Mistrust of the opposition, down-trending turnouts, and structural advantages in the electoral system all help make the LDP a safe bet in the 31 October general election. Opposition parties’ hopes depend on improved turnout and a coordination pact, but they... Read More...
