Introducing the 61st 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 Jul 04, 2024 and Sep 07, 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 Australia, Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles have been dumped from the home affairs and immigration portfolios but escaped exile as the prime minister seeks to refresh his frontbench. After months of speculation the pair would be shifted following the release of more than 150 immigration detainees after a High Court ruling in November, Anthony Albanese used a trio of cabinet resignations as cover to shuffle the deck. But he stressed it should not be construed as a failure on their part and rejected suggestions the reshuffle was linked to criticism over the government’s handling of the saga. “What Clare O’Neill and Andrew Giles have had to do is to repair the damage which has been done,” the prime minister said.

Shifting our focus to India, Former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde was sworn in as the Governor of Rajasthan here on July 31. Rajasthan High Court’s Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava administered the oath of office to Mr. Bagde at a ceremony held on the lawns of Raj Bhavan. Mr. Bagde, 78, took the oath in the name of God in Hindi after Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant read out the warrant of his appointment issued by President Droupadi Murmu. The newly-appointed Governor was presented a guard of honour at Raj Bhavan after the completion of the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Deputy CMs Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, State Cabinet members, Union Ministers, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tika Ram Jully and other public representatives, judges and senior officers of administration and police attended the ceremony.

In Italy, the governor of Italy’s northern Liguria region resigned on Friday after being held under house arrest since May as part of a corruption investigation by local prosecutors. Giovanni Toti, a right-wing governor who is accused of providing political favors in exchange for election campaign funds, has denied any wrongdoing. In a hand-written letter published by Italian news websites, Toti announced his decision to step down and call new elections within three months to allow citizens of Liguria to “decide about their future.” According to the judge’s order signing off on Toti’s arrest, he was accused of doing favors for local figures in exchange for money to fund four local elections in 2021 and 2022. Members of Toti’s staff and Genoa businesspeople, including some involved in the city’s all-important port, were implicated in the investigation. The regional government of Liguria has defended Toti, saying in a statement he “always acted in the exclusive interests of Liguria.” The council has named the vice president of the region to temporarily take over all administrative functions.  

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) has published a two-page reference guide (“Guide”) comparing the requirements for reporting beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) with the current requirements for covered entity customers to report BOI to their financial institutions (“FIs”) under the Bank Secrecy Act’s Customer Due Diligence (“CDD”) Rule.

Shifting our attention to legal advancements, Former state representative John Rogers was sentenced to 13 months in prison and ordered to repay nearly $200,000 in stolen tax dollars. Rogers apologized tearfully during the sentencing Tuesday, specifically to his family and the people of his district. “I’m sorry about this whole escapade, it hurts me to no end,” Rogers told the judge. Rogers represented Jefferson County in Alabama Legislature for more than 40 years. He was forced to resign after pleading guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice for his role in misappropriating Jefferson County tax dollars from the Jefferson County Community Service Fund, levied to support local students. Rogers pleaded guilty to helping secure funds for a local youth baseball organization in a kickback scheme. The founder of the league, Fred Plump, agreed to kick back half the proceeds to Rogers which totaled nearly $200,000 over the last four years