Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 143

143rd PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 143rd 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 Feb 08, 2026, and Mar 15, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Rob Jetten Becomes Netherlands’ Youngest and First Openly Gay Prime Minister

One noteworthy event has occurred in the Netherlands: Rob Jetten has become the youngest and first openly gay prime minister of the Netherlands after his minority government was sworn in.

The 38-year-old claimed victory in October’s election with his Democrats 66 party (D66) narrowly beating anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders in a nail-biting election.

Jetten formed a centre-right minority government with the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).

It is a minority cabinet, meaning every major reform in the coalition deal – from an extra €19bn (£16.6bn) for defence to painful cuts in healthcare and benefits – will have to be negotiated vote by vote in the Netherlands’ two parliamentary houses.

Salva Kiir Mayardit Dismisses Vice President in Cabinet Reshuffle Amid Growing Political Tensions in South Sudan

Shifting our focus to South Sudan, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed the country’s Vice President Josephine Lagu Yanga and reinstated Hussein Abdelbagi Akol in his latest cabinet reshuffle.

In a decree broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcastiong Corporation (SSBC), Kiir reappointed Abdelbagi to the vice presidency. No official reason was provided for Lagu’s dismissal.

The cabinet changes unfold against a backdrop of intensifying political turbulence and a widening security crackdown in Juba.

On morning, security operatives arrested former Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater in a pre-dawn raid in Rumbek before driving him by road to the capital. Authorities also detained a former central bank governor, adding to a string of high-profile detentions.

Albana Koçiu Appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Steps Down as Interior Minister

In Albania, Albana Koçiu will be the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, leaving the post she held as Minister of the Interior. Albana Koçiu was born in Tirana, on July 10, 1977.

Ms. Koçiu completed her higher education at the Faculty of Social Sciences (1996-2000), at the University of Tirana with successful achievements, specializing with a Master of Science on the monitoring of the social services system in Albania (2005-2007). She has continued her academic contribution as an Associate Professor from 2010 to 2022 at the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana.

In the last government, Ms. Koçiu held the position of Minister of Internal Affairs since September 2025. Prior to this position, she was Minister of Health and Social Protection, starting in September 2023. Previously, Albana Koçiu held the position of Director of the Department of Public Administration, since 2013.

Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority Launches AML Compliance Review into Swedbank

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Sweden’s financial regulator has initiated a review into Swedbank’s compliance with anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations, focusing on whether the bank’s customer vetting processes were adequate, reported Reuters.

In a statement to Retail Banker International, the Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) said: “The investigation covers the bank’s measures to obtain and maintain adequate customer due diligence.”

The probe will assess Swedbank’s due diligence measures from December 2023 through November 2025.

“How banks and financial companies counter risks of money laundering and terrorist financing in their operations is a priority issue in the FSA’s supervision in 2026,” the watchdog noted.

The regulator did not clarify if this latest investigation is a standard procedure or driven by specific concerns.

Ali Larayedh Sentenced to 24 Years Over Syria Jihadist Travel Case Amid Political Tensions in Tunisia

Shifting our attention to Tunisia, former Prime Minister Ali Larayedh was sentenced to 24 years in prison on charges of facilitating Tunisian jihadists’ travel to Syria over the past decade, state media said.

His party, the Islamist opposition Ennahda, says the case is politically motivated and part of a crackdown on dissent following President Kais Saied’s seizure of broad powers in 2021, when he dissolved parliament and began ruling by decree.

Larayedh served as prime minister from 2013 to 2014 during a turbulent period following Tunisia’s 2011 revolution.

Larayedh, who has been detained since 2022, told the court during hearing: “I am innocent. I am being subjected to injustice, abuse and ingratitude.” He can appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.

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