Bachelet legacy will depend on next Chilean government

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pension Reform ◽  
Congressional Elections ◽  
Sharp Contrast ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Same Sex Marriage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Approval Ratings ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Coalition ◽  
Broad Consensus

Significance Bachelet is beset by low approval ratings, in sharp contrast with her popularity at the end of her first term (2006-10). In response, she sought to claim a place in history by depicting her government as the start of a change towards a fairer society from which, whatever the results of the next presidential and congressional elections in November, there can be no turning back. Impacts There is broad consensus that inequality needs to be tackled but far less agreement on the effectiveness of the government’s approach. At this stage of the government, promises such as a new pension reform and same-sex marriage are largely testimonial. Differences within the government coalition have so far prevented passage of a bill to legalise abortion in some limited cases.

Chile election outcome could bring surprises

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Congressional Elections ◽  
Election Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Share Prices ◽  
Recent Increase ◽  
Approval Rating ◽  
General Elections ◽  
Business Confidence ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Coalition

Subject The November 19 general elections. Significance Ahead of November presidential and congressional elections, divisions within the centre-left government coalition and questions about its future have been accentuated by the Socialist Party’s choice of Senator Alejandro Guillier, an independent, as its presidential nominee, rather than former President Ricardo Lagos (2000-06), a longstanding member of the party. Impacts A recent increase in local share prices suggests that the prospect of a Pinera government would boost flagging business confidence. The Bachelet administration’s low approval rating, currently around 25%, will be an electoral liability for the government coalition. The next Congress is likely to be more atomised and, for the government, more difficult to manage.

Mozambique party politics may trump national interest

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Debt Crisis ◽  
Party Politics ◽  
Security Sector Reform ◽  
Security Sector ◽  
Sector Reform ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Fiscal Pressure ◽  
Broad Consensus

Significance There is broad consensus that security sector reform is necessary, but lingering concern that the government lacks a coherent plan, and will end up being distracted by other issues. Impacts The economic crisis resulting from the debt crisis will continue to put the government under severe fiscal pressure. Small amounts of gas should begin to be exported in 2022, but uncertainty over the timelines for larger projects will persist. Mozambique’s relations with neighbours should continue to improve over the immediate term.

scholarly journals You Win Some, You Lose Some: Pension Reform in Bachelet’s First and Second Administrations

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Borzutzky
Keyword(s):  
Political Ideology ◽  
Pension System ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
Presidential Power ◽  
Pension Policy ◽  
The Will ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Government Coalition

This article analyses and compares President Bachelet’s successful efforts to reform the Chilean pension system in 2008 and her failure to achieve the same objective in 2017. The article addresses the impact of electoral promises, policy legacies, policy ideology, presidential power, the role of the private sector, and the role that the government coalitions had in the process of pension reform during the Bachelet administrations. We argue that the 2008 reform was possible because of Bachelet’s personal commitment to reform and the presence of a stable governing coalition that had the will and capacity to legislate. In the second administration, although the policy legacies and ideology had remained the same, the reform did not materialise due to intense conflict within the administration and within the government coalition, as well as conflict between the administration and the coalition. These conflicts, in turn, generated a vicious cycle responsible for Bachelet’s declining popularity, limited political capital, and reduced support for reform. A stagnant economy further undermined these efforts. In brief, this article argues that when assessing success and failure in pension policy reform it is important to analyse not only policy legacies and political ideology but also the strength of the executive, the cohesion of the governing coalition, and the country’s economic performance.

Social Media and Marriage Equality in Australia: The Media Roles in the Public Sphere and the Agenda-Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Yuhanyin Ma
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Marriage Equality ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Same Sex Marriage ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Public Sphere

<p align="justify">Marriage equality or the equal status of same-sex marriage has undergone a rather tough road in Australia, involving diverging opinions in parties at the state and federal levels and constitutional amendments. It appears that people in power set the agenda on the legalization of same-sex marriage. However, it cannot be denied that social media played an almost decisive role in this process because it enabled the gathering of massive public opinion to pressure the government to make changes. To be specific, social media or social networking sites offered platforms for people concerned to share reports about the progress of foreign countries in legalizing same-sex marriage, to express their opinions and to launch campaigns in support of their beliefs. This essay explores the role that social media played in the legalization of marriage equality movement in Australia from the perspectives of the public sphere theory and the agenda-setting theory.</p>

Colombia's future rests on justice talks

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Transitional Justice ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Peace Accord ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Approval Ratings ◽  
Public Approval ◽  
The Government ◽  
Sticking Point

Subject As Colombia's peace talks approach their apparent end date, justice issues are a major sticking point. Significance With barely three months to go until the deadline for a final peace accord, negotiators from the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) need to overcome an impasse on the issue of transitional justice. In August, President Juan Manuel Santos appointed an ad hoc team of six lawyers (three selected by each side) to break the deadlock that had persisted for a year. On September 23, a ten-point communique was revealed in Havana as a basis for further negotiations. Impacts Should the deadlock continue into 2016, Santos's public approval ratings are likely to suffer significantly. The sensitive nature of truth and justice negotiations will see opposition figures attempt to use the issue to discredit the government. The successful conclusion of peace talks could pave the way for a similar process with the ELN.

Brazil faces stagnation risk in 2017

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Government Spending ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Fiscal Crisis ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Business Investment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Subject The risk that the Brazilian economy will stagnate, rather than recover, this year. Significance The recent passage of legislation freezing government spending and the ambitious pension reform currently under discussion in Congress are the flagship policies of the government of President Michel Temer. Both seek to defuse Brazil’s fiscal time bomb in the long term. However, they offer little support to immediate expansion in an economy that not only has been in recession since the second quarter of 2014 but is also locked in a low-growth trap will few apparent short-term escape routes. Impacts Popular dissatisfaction may trigger a new wave of demonstrations, further weakening the government. As long as the fiscal crisis persists, the government’s ability to stimulate the economy will be limited. Political risk will be a crucial factor in business investment decisions in Brazil.

Costa Rica election upset leaves stark run-off choice

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Single Issue ◽  
Same Sex Marriage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Pool ◽  
Run Off

Subject Costa Rica's presidential election. Significance A shock result in the February 4 election has triggered a run-off between two diametrically opposed candidates of the same name (but not related) -- evangelical politician Fabricio Alvarado Munoz and former Labour Minister Carlos Alvarado Quesada. Neither candidate looked like a realistic prospect until the closing weeks of the campaign, when a controversial ruling on same-sex marriage polarised a substantial section of the electorate on that single issue. With just under two months until the second round, both candidates will now focus on shoring up their support and appealing to a large pool of undecided voters. Impacts A move towards the centre would likely see Alvarado Quesada pick up undecided voters put off by Alvarado Munoz’s evangelical support base. Alvarado Munoz would struggle to remove Costa Rica from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Court's headquarters would have to move if Costa Rica did leave its jurisdiction. Whoever wins the run-off, Costa Rica’s relationship with the Court will be debated, potentially undermining its ability to enforce rulings.

Alliances will make or break new Costa Rica president

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Crime Rates ◽  
Gay Marriage ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Security Strategy ◽  
Same Sex Marriage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Margin ◽  
Election Result ◽  
Public Concerns

Significance His win followed a tight campaign against evangelical Christian Fabricio Alvarado Munoz (no relation), who had leapt ahead in the polls after a controversial ruling on gay marriage in February. Ultimately, the consolidation of centre-left support behind Alvarado Quesada produced an unexpectedly large margin of victory. Impacts Alvarado Quesada’s victory will reassure the business community as he has pledged to maintain policy continuity. Tax regime continuity will limit the government’s ability to pass far-reaching fiscal reform. A bold new security strategy will be necessary to address public concerns regarding crime rates. The election result is a win for supporters of same-sex marriage, but legalisation will remain controversial.

China will drag feet on urgent pension reform

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Pension Fund ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
Pension Funds ◽  
The Self ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Younger Workers ◽  
Urban Worker ◽  
The Government ◽  
New Research

Subject Pension reform in China. Significance China's main pension fund could be completely depleted as early as 2035. New research published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) predicts that expenditure from the urban worker basic pension fund will begin exceeding contributions in 2028, after which reserves will decline exponentially and could be exhausted within eight years. The government has already introduced measures to address the most pressing problems, such as the gross imbalance between regional pension funds and the failure of employers to contribute to the scheme. Impacts Younger workers will rely on their own savings and investment schemes, having little faith in the government pension. Rural residents, the self-employed and precariously employed have little or no meaningful state-backed pension. International insurers will eventually be allowed to enter China's private pension sector.

Prior actions passed will unlock Greek bailout cash

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Euro Area ◽  
Pension Reform ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Significance This allowed the Eurogroup of euro-area finance ministers to authorise the release of 12 billion euros (12.8 billion dollars) from the latest bailout package of 86 billion -- 2 billion euros to supplement budget needs and 10 billion for bank recapitalisation. Impacts There could be more parliamentary cliff-hangers over approving implementing legislation in such areas as pension reform. The opposition may support the government on some issues, but this could undermine Tsipras's authority. Another election is possible, but might not change the political balance.

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