MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – Week Ahead Oct 26-Nov 1

All timings subject to change.

Monday 26 October:

• United States: Senate set to vote on the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Only one Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, has stated that she will vote against Barrett's confirmation, meaning the vote to approve the appointment should be a straightforward one. With Barrett confirmed, a 6-3 split in favour of conservatives over liberals on the Supreme Court will be in place. This has raised the prospect of Congress adding more justices to the bench should the Democrats sweep both chambers of Congress and the White House in the November 3 election.
• China: Fifth plenary session of the 19^th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China takes place in Beijing, continuing through until Thursday. The meeting will be used to formulate the 14^th Five-Year Plan, lasting from 2021 to 2025. It comes amidst the environment of a damaged global economy in the wake of COVID-19 and a poor relationship with the US that shows no sign of improvement whatever the outcome of the presidential election. The session will also discuss economic and social objectives for the next 15 years.
• Japan: Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga delivered his first speech on his government's policy objectives at the official opening session of the new parliament. Makes pledge to have Japan become carbon neutral by 2050. New PM likely to face questioning on his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during the parliamentary session that lasts to December 5.

Full article PDF attached below:

MNI POLITICAL RISK ANALYSIS – Week Ahead Oct 26-Nov 1.pdf