Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 93

93rd PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 93rd edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Mar 02, 2025 and May 04, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Mark Carney Sworn in as Canada’s Prime Minister, Vows to Defend National Sovereignty Amid Tensions with US

One noteworthy event has occurred in Canada, Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s prime minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau, as the country faces questions about its sovereignty from US President Donald Trump and a trade war with Canada’s largest trading partner, the United States.

Carney, a former central banker who has never held public office in Canada, is stepping in to confront numerous challenges facing the country, including leading the Liberal Party into an election to be held later this year.

In a press conference after his swearing in, Carney addressed Canada’s growing tensions with its southern neighbor head-on, saying: “We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States. America is not Canada.”

Chilean Defense Minister Maya Fernández Resigns Amid Controversy Over Allende’s Residence Purchase

Shifting our focus to Chile, the Chilean Minister of National Defense, Maya Fernández, resigned amid the controversy over the failed purchase by the government of the house of her grandfather, ousted President Salvador Allende (1970-1973). The government of Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced in late 2024 the purchase of Allende’s residence for 933 million Chilean pesos (about 940,000 dollars at today’s exchange rate), with the aim of turning it into a museum.

Allende’s resignation came at the same time that the right-wing and ultra-right opposition filed an impeachment in Parliament, in an attempt to remove her from office and disqualify her from holding public office.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer Sworn in as 30th U.S. Secretary of Labor Following Bipartisan Senate Confirmation

In United States, Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the 30th U.S. Secretary of Labor today after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a bipartisan vote of 67-32.

President Trump announced Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination on November 22, 2024, noting that he looks forward to “working with her to create tremendous opportunity for American Workers, to expand Training and Apprenticeships, to grow wages and improve working conditions, to bring back our Manufacturing jobs.”

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer also launched her official social media accounts, @SecretaryLCD, on Instagram, Truth, and X and Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer on Facebook.

Chavez-DeRemer has dedicated over two decades of her life to public service, beginning in 2002 on the Happy Valley Parks Committee in Oregon. She later served on the Happy Valley City Council, became council president, and was then elected to two terms as the city’s first Latina mayor. Under her leadership, Happy Valley became Oregon’s fastest-growing community due to initiatives that strengthened working families and small businesses.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Fined £300,000 for Anti-Money Laundering Breaches

In the realm of regulatory affairs, AUS-based international firm with an office in London’s Square Mile has been fined £300,000 for historical breaches of anti-money laundering rules. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett was due to face a three-day substantive hearing at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. At the beginning of the first day of the hearing, James Counsell KC, for the SRA, and Patricia Robertson KC, for the firm, made an application for the three-person panel to approve an agreed outcome.

The firm was alleged to have failed to have, in compliance with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, to carry out a firm-wide risk assessment between June 2017 and March 2020, and, between June 2017 and January 2023, failed to have in place fully compliant policies, controls or procedures. It was also alleged to have, between June 2017 and October 2022, failed to have in place compliant client and/or matter risk assessments in relation to four files.

Libya’s Education Minister Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison Over 2021 Textbook Shortage

Shifting our attention to Libya, Libya’s Education Minister, Moussa al-Megarief, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison over his role in a school textbook shortage from 2021, the attorney general’s office announced. A Tripoli appeal court also imposed a fine of 1,000 dinars (approximately $200) and ruled that Megarief would be stripped of his civil rights for the duration of his sentence and an additional year after his release. The minister, a member of Libya’s national unity government, was found guilty of favouritism and mismanagement in handling contracts for textbook printing. He was also accused of violating the principle of equality and intervening in favour of an undisclosed party.

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