ITALY: Local elections – key issues
In Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s Italy, administrative elections will have no meaningful impact on the government. The lack of political leaders means that Draghi remains unchallenged. The elections will confirm that League’s Matteo Salvini risks becoming a spent political… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or E-mail Password Remember […]
TURKEY: Parliament set for a busy Q4 as Erdogan looks ahead to next elections
A reform of the electoral system, a draconian social media law and the 2022 budget will be the main priorities for Turkey’s parliament after its summer recess. While noise about a new constitution is likely to re-emerge in the weeks ahead, the prospects for a new charter t… Become a member to read the […]
EUROPE: Managing the pandemic – what we are watching
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 – The seven-day average of… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
FRANCE: The right fights, Macron benefits?
The members of the center-right party The Republicans (LR) agreed on 25 September that their presidential candidate would be elected in an internal ballot on 4 December. While the decision could help the candidacy of former Labor Minister Xavier Bertrand, the race to decide the c… Become a member to read the rest of […]
RUSSIA/EUROPE: Gas exports curbed by commercial and geopolitical considerations
Record-high natural gas prices and fears of looming shortages in Europe are raising questions about Russia’s reluctance to increase its gas shipments. However, Gazprom’s strategy is consistent with the company’s established preference for long-term supply contracts over sp… Become a member to read the rest of this article
EUROPE: CEE PULSE
This week, Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal (TK) will continue examining whether the national law takes precedence over EU law. In Romania, Prime Minister Florin Citu will likely struggle to survive a no-confidence motion scheduled for 5 October. The US annual defense bill for 20… Become a member to read the rest of this article
GERMANY: The fault lines to overcome for a traffic light coalition
Following the 26 September Bundestag elections, a so-called traffic light coalition led by Olaf Scholz and his Social Democrats (SPD) is, for now, the most likely outcome. However, if talks between the Greens and the center-right Liberals (FDP) were to fail, a grand coalition wit… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
UK: Reasons, prospects, and implications of the fuel crisis
The UK has experienced an extraordinary petrol crisis in recent days, initially caused by a shortage of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers. None of the government’s measures are guaranteed to bring in enough drivers in the next week or two, although some may help in the nex… Become a member to read the rest […]
GERMANY: Scholz is the election winner, but the proof is in the coalition talks
As counting continues after the Bundestag elections, the race between the two main parties remains close. Both the Social Democrats (SPD) of Finance Minister of Olaf Scholz and Armin Laschet’s Christian Union (CDU/CSU) could each form a government with the Greens and the center-r… Become a member to read the rest of this article
GREECE: Early elections in 2022?
The possibility of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis calling snap elections is firmly back on the Greek political agenda, spurred by his recent fiscal relief pledges. While Mitsotakis is not expected to decide until early next year and much will depend on what opinion pol… Become a member to read the rest of this article