Search results

South African government faces public-sector showdown

Location:

SOUTH AFRICA

The negotiations follow the government’s refusal last year to pay the final annual tranche of a previous three-year deal. Containing the public-sector wage bill is seen as key for…

Costa Rica’s pandemic response faces political hurdles

Location:

COSTA RICA

In August, it asked the IMF for a USD1.75bn credit under the Extended Fund Facility. This will come on top of the USD504mn approved by the IMF for emergency financial assistance…

Briceno’s difficulties will benefit Belize’s UDP

Location:

BELIZE

Belize’s economic slowdown is proving prolonged, driven by the sharp drop in tourist arrivals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has reduced spending and…

New Romanian coalition will retreat from reform

Location:

ROMANIA

This autumn, bitter conflict between the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Save Romania Union (USR) ended a brief period of centre-right rule, after years of domination by the…

New Colombian fiscal reform will pass but is flawed

Location:

COLOMBIA

The plan avoids new taxes on individuals, instead increasing the fiscal burden on firms. The proposed measures aim to generate COP15.2tn (USD3.9bn) in new revenue, which would be…

Default signals further slide for Puerto Rico in 2016

Location:

PUERTO RICO

The island's government and public agencies hold 72 billion dollars of debt obligations, but migration to the mainland United States, political unwillingness to cut spending and…

Arauz and Lasso eye election showdown in Ecuador

Location:

ECUADOR

After a turbulent term, President Lenin Moreno is not running again. The candidate of his Alianza Pais (Proud and Sovereign Homeland; AP), Ximena Pena, will be an outsider in a…

Lithuanian conservative parties will win October vote

Location:

LITHUANIA

Gitanas Nauseda won the second-round presidential election on May 26, 2019, by 67% to Ingrida Simonyte’s 33%. Both ran as independents; the opposition conservative Homeland…

Risks of widespread protests will endure in Costa Rica

Location:

COSTA RICA

The move followed days of protests in response to plans for tax reforms designed to rein in the country’s burgeoning fiscal deficit.

African Union faces high expectations but low capacity

Location:

AFRICA

The Summit came amid challenging internal and external circumstances including old and new conflicts, military coups, economic struggles, sluggish economic integration, democratic…