Introducing the 42nd 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 March 10, 2024 and April 17, 2024. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

 

One noteworthy event has occurred in Estonia, Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet resigned Saturday over a corruption allegation. The member of the ruling Reform party had allegedly been renting a Tallinn apartment from his stepson’s company during his time in office and had the expenses reimbursed by the state. Since 2021, the total amount was about €12,000, according to local media. “To ensure legal clarity and the peaceful functioning of government, I decided today that I will not be continuing in office as the minister of justice,” Laanet said. Laanet denies the allegations. He says he decided to resign to “protect his relatives from public attacks.” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has accepted Laanet’s resignation and expressed gratitude for the minister’s service. Laanet is expected to remain in office until President Alar Karis appoints a replacement. Laanet was Estonia’s defence minster for a year until 2022. He became justice minister last April.   

 

Shifting our focus to India, Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has tendered her resignation and sent the letter to President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Sources said that she is likely to contest Lok Sabha polls either from Tamil Nadu or Puducherry. A press communique from Raj Bhavan said: “The Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Dr. Smt.Tamilisai Soundararajan has tendered her resignation with immediate effect. The resignation has been submitted to the Hon’ble President of India.”  

   

In Gambia, President Adama Barrow has reshuffled his cabinet, introducing four new ministers in his administration effective Friday, 15th March 2024, according to a statement from the presidency. The new faces include university lecturer Dr Ismaila Ceesay, who has been named as Minister of Information and Abdoulie Sanyang, a former Inspector General of Police as new Interior Minister. Nani Juwara, formerly director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is now the Minister of Petroleum, while Haddy Jatou Sey has been appointed to replace educationist Claudiana Cole, as the new Minister of Basic and Secondary Education. An old face in cabinet Hamat NK Bah, who had spent almost seven years as Tourism and Culture minister has been appointed Minister for Lands and Regional Government. Abdoulie Jobe replaces Mr. Bah as head of the Tourism and Culture ministry. Meanwhile, Mr. Seedy Muctar Touray is Gambia’s new IGP while Bai Ebrima Mboob heads The Gambia Immigration Department as DG. Former opposition politician Momodou Sabally, who recently switched to Barrow’s National People’s Party from the United Democratic Party has been designated as Presidential Special Adviser at the Office of the President.

 

In the realm of regulatory affairs, EU lawmakers have adopted three key texts in a broad anti-money laundering legislative package that will also apply to crypto. In a joint meeting, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs voted for the texts after a political agreement on the package was reached in January. Two lawmaker committees in the European Parliament on Tuesday adopted three major texts in a broad anti-money laundering legislative package that also applies to crypto. 

 

Shifting our attention to legal advancements, in the United States, Peter Navarro, an ex-White House aide to former President Donald Trump, has reported to a federal prison in Miami, making history as the first former White House official to be imprisoned for contempt of Congress conviction. Navarro was sentenced to four months in prison for his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. Before reporting to jail, Navarro spoke for 30 minutes at a gas station and called the case against him an “unprecedented assault on the constitutional separation of powers.” He claimed that the legal tactics that were used against him would be used against Trump: “I am pissed – that’s what I am feeling right now.” Navarro concluded: “God bless you all, see you on the other side.”