Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 120

120th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 120th 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 Sep 03, 2025 and Sep 30, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Elisa Spiropali Appointed as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Succeeding Igli Hasani

One noteworthy event has occurred in Albania: Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali took office, succeeding her predecessor, Igli Hasani, in a ceremony held at the ministry’s premises.

In her speech, Spiropali praised the experience and expertise of Igli Hasani, who, according to her, “will be an added value in the Parliamentary Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs.”

“Convinced that even with his commitment as Chairman of the Commission, we will jointly advance the strategic objective of the Albanian state for a European Albania,” said Spiropali.

For his part, Hasani expressed his belief that “the reforms and processes that we have initiated and advanced with the Ministry’s staff over the last two years will continue to be priorities under the new leadership.”

Indonesian President Prabowo Appoints Former Rival Djamari Chaniago as Security Minister After Deadly Protests

Shifting our focus to Indonesia, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has appointed a former rival as the new security minister after last month’s deadly protests.

Subianto, a former general, named retired general Djamari Chaniago as coordinating minister for politics and security, replacing Budi Gunawan, whom he removed from the cabinet earlier this month.

Subianto dismissed Gunawan after violent demonstrations swept across the Southeast Asian nation in late August, leaving 10 people dead.

Anger over the faltering economy erupted into full-blown violence following reports that politicians received a $3,000 housing allowance on top of their salaries – a perk equal to between 10 and 20 times Indonesia’s monthly minimum wage, depending on the region.

Chrystia Freeland Steps Down from Cabinet as a Transport Minister

In Canada, Transport Minister and former Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, is stepping down from cabinet and doesn’t plan to run in the next federal election.

Freeland, who in a statement said she was turning the page on this chapter in her life, has been invited by Prime Minister Mark Carney to take on the role as the country’s new special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine in addition to her position as a member of parliament.

“A great strength of democracy is that no one holds political office in perpetuity. After 12 fulfilling years in public life, I know that now is the right time for me to make way for other and to seek fresh challenges for myself,” Freeland said.

Lottomart Operator Maple International Ventures Fined £360,000 for Social Responsibility and AML Failures

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the Gambling Commission has announced that the online gambling business Maple International Ventures Limited is to pay a £360,000 settlement after an investigation revealed social responsibility and anti-money laundering failures. The operator runs the casino and betting website Lottomart.com.

The regulator said it found that Maple International Ventures’ risk assessment was not appropriate between June 2023 and July 2024. Some key risks were omitted, including the risk of organised crime gangs and mule accounts, and it was lacking in sufficient detail. In addition, there was no evidence that it had been updated to take into account current or historical versions of the regulator’s guidance, the Gambling Commission said.

Congress Leader and former Union minister of state Pradeep Jain Aditya, 13 Others Sentenced to 2 Years for 2013 Power Protest Blockade

Shifting our attention to India, a court sentenced senior Congress leader and former Union Minister of State Pradeep Jain Aditya and 13 others to two years‘ imprisonment in connection with a 2013 road blockade held to protest power cuts, a case lawyer said.

However, all of them were released on a personal bond and granted a month to appeal the verdict, he said.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM-I) and Special MP-MLA Court Judge Anil Kumar Saptam convicted Mr Jain and others under various sections of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, a case lawyer said.

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