Macedonian government's fall could end economic reform

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Reform ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
National Unity ◽  
Political Class ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Elites ◽  
The Media ◽  
Intelligence Service

Subject Macedonia's fractious politics. Significance The leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party of Macedonia (SDSM), Zoran Zaev, has alleged that the leader of the ruling Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, has used the domestic intelligence service to spy on Macedonia's political and economic elites for nearly a decade. For his part, Gruevski has alleged that Zaev has been trying to blackmail him to bring SDSM into government by threatening to release to the media thousands of taped recordings and transcripts of private telephone conversations. There is a risk of wider political instability, as revelations also emerge about the conduct of government officials. Impacts New revelations could have a serious impact on the popular perception of government, fuelling opposition. Zaev's opportunistic handling of the issue will damage SDSM and provoke a broader backlash against the political class. Growing evidence of authoritarian behaviour will damage relations with Western partners.

Media reporting on public procurement: an analysis of UK press coverage, 1985–2018

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Flynn ◽  
Irina Harris
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Press Coverage ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Media ◽  
International Comparative

Purpose The media is an important actor in public procurement, but research on its role is limited. This paper aims to investigate how the media has engaged with public procurement, using UK newspapers as a case example. Design/methodology/approach The method consisted of searching Nexis database for news articles on public procurement; automatic extraction of article attributes such as length, section, authorship; and manually coding each article for its theme and industry context. This produced quantitative indicators about the extent and focus of press coverage on public procurement. Findings Press coverage of public procurement increased between 1985 and 2018. The focus of coverage has been on governance failure and socio-economic policy. Governance failure, which includes corruption, cronyism and supplier malpractice, is associated with construction, outsourcing and professional services sectors. Socio-economic policy, which includes supporting small suppliers and favouring domestic industry, is associated with manufacturing, defence and agriculture. Research limitations/implications The analysis included UK media only. While the trends observed on the extent and focus of public procurement news coverage likely reflect the situation in other countries, international comparative research is still required. Practical implications Government officials should be more proactive in countering the “negativity bias” in news coverage of public procurement by showcasing projects where value-for-money has been achieved, services have been successfully delivered and social value has been realised. Social implications The media accentuates the negatives of public procurement and omits positive developments. The end-result is a selective and, at times, self-serving media narrative that is likely to engender cynicism towards public procurement. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on media coverage of public procurement. It highlights that while there are similarities between media and academic treatment of public procurement, particularly in relation to its socio-economic side, the media emphasises governance failings and negative developments to a greater extent.

Kyrgyz referendum may be Pyrrhic victory

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Social Democrats ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Pyrrhic Victory ◽  
Constitutional Changes

Subject Kyrgyzstan's constitutional referendum. Significance Now that President Almazbek Atambayev has secured the constitutional changes he wanted, it is unclear how he benefits. The December 11 referendum was a success in its own terms despite the dearth of public understanding of the issues, but was accompanied by an acrimonious divorce between the ruling Social Democratic Party and its long-term coalition partner, Ata-Meken. Impacts A weaker government and divided parliament will struggle to focus on chronic and serious economic problems. The Social Democrats are in a stronger position nationwide thanks to their strong showing in simultaneous local elections. Kyrgyz nationalist and conservative groups will feel emboldened as some of the amendments are seen as concessions to them.

Romania’s political renewal is still unlikely

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investor Confidence ◽  
Social Democratic ◽  
Power Base

Significance The PNL is on the verge of replacing the former communist Social Democratic Party (PSD) in office. The change is more apparent than real. Both wish to lower expectations and anchor politics around the distribution of patronage rather than problem-solving. Impacts Infighting will plague the PSD but its factions may be able to prevent any steep erosion in their main power base at local level. Political disagreements preventing the nomination of an EU commissioner will ensure that EU vigilance towards Romania remains high. The PSD’s departure could boost investor confidence in Romania, badly shaken during the Dragnea period.

Macedonia's Gruevski may survive latest scandal

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Democratic ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
The Government

Significance Both had been in office since 2006, and Mijalkov was seen as indispensable for his control over the country. Along with Gruevski, both are heavily implicated in the wiretap scandal that Social Democratic Party of Macedonia (SDSM) leader Zoran Zaev has publicised since February. The opposition described the resignations as Gruevski panicking to postpone his own departure, and vowed to continue protests until he resigns. Impacts Macedonia continues to overflow with conspiracy theories about Kumanovo. It is unclear who may have been double-crossing whom -- the government or the 'terrorists' or both. The incident will play into fears of a Greater Albania project to unite all Albanian communities in the Balkans.

Political crisis threatens Brazil's tentative recovery

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Presidential Election ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Class ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Company ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government

Significance The requests are based on plea bargains from former executives of construction company Odebrecht. While the names in ‘Janot’s list’ have not been disclosed, several of them have leaked to the media. They include six ministers in the government of President Michel Temer, two former presidents, ten state governors, and the heads of both houses of Congress. If confirmed, this would make the list a potent bombshell for the Brazilian political class. Impacts The corruption scandal looks set to disrupt next year’s presidential election. Politicians’ disdain for accountability will fuel outrage with the political class. The ground could be fertile for a candidate claiming to be an ‘outsider’.

Macedonian premier may not control fractious coalition

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Political Instability ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
National Unity ◽  
Social Democrats ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electoral Defeat ◽  
Previous Election

Subject The former ruling party’s defeat in local elections. Significance Macedonia’s ruling Social Democrats (SDSM) inflicted a crushing defeat on their erstwhile rival, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), in last month’s local elections. Both parties in effect exchanged positions, the SDSM winning 57 municipalities and VMRO five, compared with four and 56 respectively in the previous election in 2013. VMRO suffered its greatest electoral defeat since its creation in 1990. Impacts Gruevski’s conclusive demise makes Macedonia unambiguously pro-Western and changes the geopolitics of the region. Zaev’s rows with Serbia, which briefly closed its embassy in Skopje in August 2017, probably will not have long-term significance. With the end of two years of political instability, Macedonia would become more attractive to foreign investment, especially Chinese.

Coalition woes undermine Romania reform prospects

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Institutions ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Liberal Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Democratic ◽  
Minority Government ◽  
The Social ◽  
Remaining Time

Significance The motion will be backed by his former coalition partner, the Union to Save Romania (USR), together with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the nationalist AUR. Citu recently won the National Liberal Party (PNL) leadership contest. If the no-confidence vote succeeds, as seems likely, President Klaus Iohannis can make two attempts to form a new government. Impacts Romania has Europe’s second-lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate; administrative upheaval may worsen performance further. The main political institutions are fast losing credibility, and this is likely to benefit increasingly influential extreme nationalists. A PNL minority government would prioritise survival over serious reform during its remaining time in power.

Romanian protests will invigorate pro-reform forces

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
The Political ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Checks And Balances ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Democratic ◽  
East European ◽  
Political Landscape ◽  
Dominant Parties

Subject The political fallout from anti-government demonstrations. Significance Popular protests unprecedented in size since the restoration of democracy in 1990 have forced a major government retreat. On February 5, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu withdrew emergency decrees intended to decriminalise corruption offences and pardon politicians convicted of graft. The ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) is struggling to adapt to the much-altered political landscape. Impacts Fears that Romania is following an East European pattern where dominant parties dismantle checks and balances will be quieted for now. Iohannis’s boldness in the crisis will make him a strong counterweight to the PSD. Reforms designed to clean up politics will be buttressed by the commitment of Romania’s main Western allies.

Kyrgyzstan elections will please president and Russia

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Coalition Building ◽  
Social Democratic Party ◽  
Recent Past ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parliamentary Elections ◽  
Social Democratic ◽  
The Social ◽  
Strong Performance

Subject Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary elections. Significance Parliamentary elections held on October 4 resulted in victory for the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK), which is aligned with President Almazbek Atambayev. Overall, the poll ended with a strong showing for pro-Russian parties, while the nationalist opposition, split into two competing coalitions (Respublika-Ata Jurt and Butun Kyrgyzstan-Emgek) faired relatively poorly. Impacts The results have provided the president with a chance of building a more coherent majority in parliament. Coalition-building should be easier than in recent past and thus governability should be enhanced. The strong performance of the SDPK and the Kyrgyzstan Party plays into the hands of Russia.

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