BRAZIL: Pandemic report less harmful than the economy for Bolsonaro
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 of the indictment list is President Jair Bolsonaro, followed by both his current and previous health […]
LATAM: Pandemic status and outlook
Covid-19 caseloads have been dropping across Latin America and the Caribbean in recent weeks. During October, South America has accounted for under 6% of new global daily cases versus 35-40% in June. The improving picture is encouraging but there are several challenges facing the region in the weeks and months ahead. Progress Vaccine rollout : […]
MEXICO: Political considerations behind electricity reform
The political noise surrounding President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO)’s electricity sector reforms persists even if little significant movement has occurred since it was unveiled on 1 October. The reform, which would restore the state-run CFE electricity utility to a de facto monopoly position, requires two-thirds majorities in both chambers to advance. The coalition led […]
LATAM PULSE
This week, Chile marks two years since the outbreak of protests just as the constituent assembly born out of that unrest starts to debate the content of a new constitution. In Peru, a new stage of Pedro Castillo’s presidency opens up as his party appears to be submitting to new realities. In Brazil, this week […]
ARGENTINA: Gridlock likely and governability crisis possible after mid-terms
The governing Front for All (FdT) coalition will struggle to avoid a damaging defeat in November’s partial mid-term elections. The government is hoping to limit its losses with unabashed clientelism, but FdT power struggles and highly problematic economic conditions militate against a poll recovery. The government is likely to limp to 2023 amid congressional gridlock […]
CHILE: Presidential race favors leftist Boric but voter indecision still high
A second candidates’ debate took place last night, 11 October, just under six weeks from the first round of the presidential election on 21 November, and with the leftist Gabriel Boric enjoying a consistent poll lead, albeit with voter indecision still high. The timing of the debate was important in view of recent poll shifts […]
LATAM PULSE
This week, Chile‘s President Sebastian Pinera faces a bumpy ride as he seeks to defend himself from allegations arising from the “Pandora Papers” leak; at the same time, another presidential debate takes place later today. In Mexico, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) will be making the case for his highly controversial electricity sector reform […]
BRAZIL: Tax reform surfaces amid legislative profligacy
President Jair Bolsonaro has been uncommonly discreet since his official apology to other branches of government for his frequent attacks against them two days after the pro-government protests on Independence Day, 7 September. Congress was already distancing itself from the government when the president was incendiary but has found yet more space to lead its […]
PERU: Cliff edge avoided, but governability and moderation may still be elusive
President Pedro Castillo made seven changes to his cabinet yesterday, 6 October. The reshuffle promotes more moderate leftists largely at the expense of ministers who answer to the Peru Libre (PL) party boss Vladimir Cerron. The highly controversial Prime Minister (PCM) Guido Bellido is replaced by the more moderate Mirtha Vasquez, who was congressional president […]
CHILE: Presidential race under shadow of constitutional debate
While the recent leak of financial records (“Pandora Papers”) continues to affect President Sebastian Pinera – and by extension the center-right presidential candidate Sebastian Sichel – Chile’s constitutional debate has deeper implications. Holding presidential and legislative elections while the constituent assembly is sitting was always going to be challenging. Voters will be determining who will […]
