Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 125

125th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 125th 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 Oct 12, 2025 and Nov 18, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Argentina’s Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein Resigns Amid Internal Government Tensions

One noteworthy event has occurred in Argentina, Gerardo Werthein submitted his resignation as Argentina’s Foreign Minister amid mounting tensions within the Libertarian Government’s cabinet, just ahead of next midterm elections.

According to local media, Werthein’s decision came after becoming “tired of being attacked” on social media and in the press by groups linked to presidential advisor Santiago Caputo. Werthein’s tenure had been hanging in the balance since the one-on-one meeting at the Oval Office between Milei and US President Donald Trump, which he was supposed to have arranged, never took place.

Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister After Parliamentary Vote

Shifting our focus to Japan, Sanae Takaichi has been elected Japan’s prime minister by its parliament, making her the first woman to hold the office.

The 64-year-old won a clear majority 237 votes in the powerful Lower House and another 125 in the Upper House – as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

A staunch conservative and admirer of the late former UK PM Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi takes over at a challenging economic moment as Japan grapples with a rising cost of living and a frustrated public.

It’s also been an uncertain time for the world’s fourth-largest economy. She is the fourth PM in just five years, after her predecessors’ terms were cut short by plunging ratings and scandals.

Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene Resigns Amid Rift With Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene

In Lithuania, Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene announced her resignation, a day after Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said she had lost confidence in her and had formally proposed her dismissal following a week-long rift over defense spending and internal government communication.

Sakaliene confirmed she sent her resignation letter to President Gitanas Nauseda, writing on Facebook: “I no longer have any hope of working together with the current head of government.”

The move came after Ruginiene told reporters at the Presidential Palace that she had decided to dismiss the minister, calling it “a painful but necessary decision,” according to LRT news.

“I cannot allow such misunderstandings and issues to occur in a field as important as defense,” the prime minister said, clarifying that she was initiating the dismissal herself rather than acting on Sakaliene’s resignation.

FINTRAC Imposes Record C$176.9 Million Fine on Xeltox Enterprises for Money Laundering Violations

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Canada’s anti-money laundering regulator said it had imposed a C$176.9 million ($126.14 million) fine on money services business Xeltox Enterprises Limited, the largest-ever penalty doled out by the agency.

The regulator, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), said Xeltox did not submit suspicious transaction reports when there were reasonable grounds to suspect transactions related to the laundering of money connected to trafficking in child sexual abuse material.

Xeltox, also operating as Cryptomus and previously known as Certa Payments Limited, is a money services business incorporated in British Columbia. It could not be reached for comment.

“Given that numerous violations in this case were connected to trafficking in child sexual abuse material, fraud, ransomware payments and sanctions evasion, FINTRAC was compelled to take this unprecedented enforcement action”, the agency said in a statement.

Former Fijian PM Frank Bainimarama Sentenced to 12-Month Suspended Prison Term

Shifting our attention to Fiji, former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been given a 12-month suspended prison sentence by the Fiji High Court in Suva, local media reports say.

Bainimarama, 71, was found guilty of “making an unwarranted demand with menace” on 2 October. The court found he used his position as Prime Minister in 2021 to pressure the country’s then-Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu into sacking two officers.

He is the first person in Fiji to be convicted under this specific offence.

The former military commander and coup leader had pleaded not guilty. However, High Court Judge Thushara Rajasinghe found him guilty of making an unwarranted demand to a public official under Fiji’s Crimes Act.

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