Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 121

121th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 121th 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 21, 2025 and Oct 12, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Anutin Charnvirakul Appoints Ekniti Nitithanprapas as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister

One noteworthy event has occurred in Thailand, Newly-minted Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has appointed Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the treasury department, as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has approved the appointment, according to a notice published in the Royal Gazette on September 22.

Ekniti has held a number of other senior government positions, including as head of the excise department and the revenue department. He is a former adviser to the Washington-based World Bank.
Anutin became the prime minister earlier this month after the constitutional court removed his predecessor Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office after finding her guilty of ethical misconduct over a controversial phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.

Inga Ruginiene Elected Lithuania’s New Prime Minister

Shifting our focus to Lithuania, Parliament voted in favour of Social Democrat Inga Ruginiene’s proposed government platform, making her the Baltic country’s new prime minister.
Ruginiene, a former trade union leader who only entered national politics in 2024, pledged continuity with the previous pro-Ukraine, pro-defence-spending government.
The new centre-right coalition was formed after Lithuania’s former government broke down in July over the then prime minister’s ties to a company owned by a family member.
Ruginiene, 44, has said she will maintain Lithuania’s support for Ukraine as well as pledging to spend 5-6% of gross domestic product on defence over the next few years.

Senate Confirms Mike Waltz as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

In United States, The Senate confirmed Mike Waltz to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, filling the last vacancy in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet after eight months of delays and the withdrawal of a previous nominee.
The bipartisan vote for Waltz came after a recent procedural hurdle sent his nomination back to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where it had to be voted on again.
The Senate did not vote on a separate matter that would formally designate Waltz as a representative at the General Assembly, due to objections from Democrats, according to a person familiar with the Senate deliberations. It is unclear how or whether Waltz would be able to participate in the annual U.N. gathering in New York next week. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.

FINTRAC Imposes Record CAD 19.6 Million Fine on KuCoin’s Parent Company for Money Laundering Violations
In the realm of regulatory affairs, The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has levied a CAD 19.6 million (USD 14 million) administrative penalty against Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin’s parent company Peken Global Limited for breaches of Part 1 of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act 2000 and associated regulations. The hefty fine reportedly tops the charts for the largest penalty ever imposed by the regulator.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Convicted of Criminal Conspiracy Over 2007 Libyan Funding, Sentenced to Five Years in Landmark Ruling
Shifting our attention to France, Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to the Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign. Sentenced to five years in prison, he is due to appear in court on 13 October to learn the date of his incarceration. The unprecedented ruling marks a turning point in the practices of the French justice, which has gradually freed itself from political power. It also enshrines the Republican principle of full and complete equality of citizens before the law, which was proclaimed in 1789 but long remained theoretical.
As might be expected, the guilty verdict against Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday 25 September over the transfer of millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election campaign, drew anger from a large part of the political class.

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