147th PEP Weekly Digest:
Introducing the 147th 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 Mar 15, 2026, and Apr 12, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.
Balendra Shah Sworn In as Nepal’s First Madhesi Prime Minister
One noteworthy event has occurred in Nepal: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Senior Leader Balendra Shah was sworn in amid a special function at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy.
The swearing-in ceremony included the performance of shankhanaad (blowing of conch shells). In addition, swastishanti recitation was performed by 108 Batuks, while Buddhist monks conducted ashtamangal chanting.
This marks the first time a leader from the Madhesi community has become prime minister.
Shah won the recently concluded March 5 parliamentary elections from the Jhapa constituency-5 under the first-past-the-post system, defeating a heavyweight KP Sharma Oli, Chairperson of the CPN-UML. The constituency was considered to be a stronghold of Oli.
General Gustavo González López takes over as Venezuela’s defense minister
Shifting our focus to Spain, in a historic cabinet reshuffle, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has been elevated to First Vice President, becoming the first man to hold a deputy role under Sánchez’s eight-year tenure. The move follows the resignation of María Jesús Montero, who departs the central government to lead the Socialist campaign in Andalusia.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promoted Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo to First Vice President of the government on Thursday, March 26, 2026, while allowing him to retain his ministerial portfolio. The reshuffle was triggered by the departure of María Jesús Montero, who left the cabinet to run as a candidate in Andalusia. Arcadi España was named the new Minister of Finance, taking over the portfolio Montero had held. The changes were formalized through a handover of portfolios ceremony on March 27.
Carlos Cuerpo Promoted to First Vice President in Historic Spanish Cabinet Reshuffle
In Mongolia, Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav resigned after rising tensions within the ruling Mongolian People’s Party and a parliamentary boycott by the opposition.
The parliament accepted Zandanshatar’s resignation.
The opposition Democratic Party earlier this month launched a boycott of parliamentary activity, citing concerns over the concentration of power within the ruling party. There have been months of corruption allegations against Justice Minister Enkhbayar Battumur, a close ally of Zandanshatar, who has not been accused.
In a statement on social media, Zandanshatar, who had been prime minister since June, said the political infighting would end up harming the economy and lead to rising prices.
Stash Capital Fined $450,000 by FINRA for AML and Identity-Verification Failures
In the realm of regulatory affairs, Stash Capital LLC has been censured and fined $450,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority after the regulator found the firm failed to maintain adequate anti-money-laundering and identity-theft controls between January 2019 and June 2023.
FINRA said Stash Capital, which offers self-directed online brokerage accounts and has opened more than nine million accounts since launch, did not implement a customer identification programme proportionate to the size and risk of its business.
Investigators found accounts were approved without full identity verification, including cases where only partial Social Security numbers were provided or where indicators of potential identity fraud were overlooked.
Former Sint Maarten Minister Christophe Emmanuel Sentenced to 29 Months for Corruption
Shifting our attention to Sint Maarten, on March 26, 2026, the Court of First Instance in Sint Maarten delivered a landmark verdict in the high-profile corruption case against Christophe Theodore Emmanuel. The court found the former Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) guilty of multiple severe offenses. These crimes include bribery, fraud, and abuse of his official power. The judge handed him a 29-month prison sentence and stripped him of his right to hold public office for five years.
The trial focused on Emmanuel’s actions during his tenure as minister from December 2016 to January 2018. Prosecutors outlined a system where he traded government favors for money. The court acquitted him of several specific charges, including alleged bribes related to a particular permit and the “Flag Project,” because the evidence did not fully establish a direct link. However, the judge found overwhelming evidence for most of the corruption charges.
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