MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – Week Ahead Jan 18-24

All timings subject to change.

Monday 18 January:

• Italy: PM Giuseppe Conte addressed the Chamber of Deputies as he attempts to avoid being ousted in a confidence vote. Expectations are that Conte will be able to gain majority support in the Chamber thanks to the support of various independent Deputies and minor parties. Following this vote, focus will then move onto the Senate on Tuesday.
• European Union: Eurogroup video conference of finance ministers takes place in both regular (just eurozone states) and inclusive (all EU-27) formats. Topics of discussion to include imbalances in EZ in wake of COVID-19, the recovery and resilience fund, and relations with the US. Starts at 1500CET (0900ET, 1400GMT).
• Japan: PM Yoshihide Suga made his opening address to the new session of the lower house of the Japanese Diet. In his address, Suga vowed to do everything in his power to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which is swiftly escalating in the country. The PM also announced a push for greater use of green energy as well as to eliminate non-hybrid or electric cars by 2035.
• European Union: First plenary session of 2021 gets underway in the European Parliament. Continues through to Thursday 21 January.
• United States: Public holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – Week Ahead Jan 18-24.pdf