Global Scans · Democracy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Society is expressing its discontent with current democratic processes that leave the elites struggling to convince their voters of their good intentions and competencies. Read on to see how democracy is offering both great opportunities and risks while this period of volatility shakes out.

• [New] In the US, Treasury yields - which is government debt - have seen similar movement, spurred upwards by concerns that president-elect Donald Trump will introduce inflationary trade and immigration policies. FMTTM
• [New] Germany uses a form of proportional representation (PR) in its federal elections: each voter will vote for one candidate in their constituency, as well as one party's list of candidates in their state. Shout Out UK
• [New] There is no denying that the outcome of the recent US election will have a significant effect on the ESG landscape, not just domestically but also further afield, including in Asia. Passle
• [New] Turkey and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army may be attempting to stretch the Syrian Democratic Forces 's bandwidth by threatening multiple areas simultaneously. Critical Threats
• [New] President-elect Trump should use (a) policy speech to publicly outline in unambiguous terms that the U.S. will not hesitate to utilize military force to destroy Iran's nuclear program if it takes steps to further advance its capabilities. Exposing The Darkness
• [New] President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office next week, and his proposed tariffs could spark trade wars and inflation, creating a favourable environment for the precious metal, widely regarded as a hedge against inflation. Business Tech Africa
• [New] A hastily implemented new rule from the Democratic administration could fragment global supply chains and put U.S. companies at a disadvantage. The Independent
• [New] U.S. consumers expect inflation to increase over the next 12 months and beyond, likely reflecting concerns that broad tariffs on imports pledged by President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration could raise prices for households. The Daily Star
• [New] Companies capitalizing on AI technology to further business development can expect a more relaxed regulatory framework under the Trump administration: President-elect Trump will likely move to roll back certain Biden-era policies. Debevoise
• [New] The outcomes of the U.S. elections could have far-reaching effects on the global economy, influencing everything from trade policies to consumer confidence. Pegasus Logistics Group
• [New] In addition to the recent results of elections in Mexico, the U.S. and Venezuela, the upcoming 2025 general elections in Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Curacao, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago will define a new political landscape. Gateway House
• [New] President-elect Donald Trump has signaled disruption with unorthodox nominations for key healthcare roles, and could throw support behind policies disliked by drugmakers. BioPharma Dive
• [New] Compounding the problem for the U.S., tens of millions of Americans are already discontent with their government and view the incoming Trump administration as an existential threat to democracy. The Conversation
• The biggest risk for Europe's China policy next year lies in the geopolitical adjustments after president-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Merics
• Beijing will gain little from a vote that triggers more upheaval, entrenches military rule, and deepens anti-China popular sentiment. Lincoln Trumpet
• Immigrant advocates and Democratic lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to take stronger measures to protect immigrants in the U.S. who risk losing their legal status and work authorization under a new Trump presidency. Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria
• President-elect Trump has renewed his threat to respond with violence if Hamas does not release hostages held in Gaza. Democracy Now!
• The election a new administration in the US is likely to lead to a reduction in US corporate taxes, which could make the US more appealing to Canadian entrepreneurs and investors. Caribbean News Global
• Universities across the US are advising international students to plan their travel carefully due to expected changes in immigration policies under President-elect Trump. The Economic Times
• President-elect Trump has a unique opportunity to broker a solution that addresses national security concerns while protecting American values such as free speech and economic opportunity. RealClearPolicy
• The US President-elect expressed the wish that Greenland should become part of the United States to ensure national security and protect against Chinese and Russian threats. Pravda Poland
• Since Donald Trump won November's election he's continued to threaten new tariffs against key US trading partners, China, Canada and Mexico. BBC News

Last updated: 19 January 2025