Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 156

156th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 156th 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 May 24, 2026, and Jun 07, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Siddaramaiah Steps Down as Karnataka CM, Submits Resignation in Bengaluru

One noteworthy event has occurred in India, Siddaramaiah has resigned as the chief minister of Karnataka. The Congress leader visited the Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru to submit his resignation The Karnataka government held a meeting. Following his meeting, it was confirmed that Siddaramaiah tendered his resignation as the chief minister at the Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.

While speaking to the media, the Congress leader thanked the high command – Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge for giving him the opportunity to serve the state as a chief minister for two terms.

He further stated that while the Governor is currently out if town on a schedule, he submitted his resignation to the private secretary. Karnataka governor is expected to return to the state.

Latvian Parliament Elects Andris Kulbergs as New Prime Minister

Shifting our focus to Latvia, by a margin of 66 deputies in the 100-seat assembly, lawmakers confirmed 47-year-old centrist Andris Kulbergs as prime minister, who will lead the Baltic nation until parliamentary elections on October 3.

Evika Silina resigned as prime minister on May 14 after she fired her defence minister and lost the support of his party, which had been a key coalition ally.

Silina accused the minister of not deploying anti-drone defences fast enough to parry two wayward Ukraine attack drones, which are thought to have been knocked off course by Russian jamming.

The drones caused minimal damage but sparked widespread concern in the former Soviet republic, which is now a member of NATO and the European Union.

Uganda Names Veteran Diplomat Adonia Ayebare Foreign Minister

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni has dismissed Uganda’s foreign minister Jeje Odongo and appointed veteran diplomat Adonia Ayebare as the country’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs in the latest cabinet shake-up.

Ayebare, one of Uganda’s most prominent diplomats, has been serving as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York and has long been regarded as a key figure in shaping Uganda’s international engagement.

His appointment places an experienced multilateral diplomat at the helm of Uganda’s foreign ministry at a time when Kampala is navigating complex regional and global dynamics, including security questions in the Great Lakes region, tensions in eastern DRC, and shifting geopolitical competition across Africa.

Ayebare has previously served as Museveni’s senior adviser on international affairs and represented Uganda in several high-level diplomatic negotiations involving regional peace and security.

The reshuffle signals renewed emphasis on Uganda’s diplomatic posture as the country seeks to balance regional influence, security interests and international partnerships.

Star Entertainment’s Sydney Casino Fined A$10 Million Over Financial Crime Control Failures

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Australia’s New South Wales gaming regulator said that it had fined Star Entertainment’s (SGR.AX), opens new tab Sydney casino a ​total of A$10 million ($7.18 million) for systemic failures related to historical crime risks.

An enforceable undertaking to set aside a further A$5 million was issued by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC), along with the fines, to strengthen the technology used ​by The Star Sydney’s financial crime risk management operations.

The fines come ​on the heels of Star’s Sydney licence remaining suspended until further notice, ⁠with the casino continuing to remain under an NICC-appointed manager.

The NICC said ​that Liquor and Gaming NSW investigated thousands of breaches at The Star Sydney ​last year, occurring between December 2018 and September 2025.

Vietnam Court Sentences Former Health Minister six years in prison in Major Hospital Corruption Case

Shifting our attention to Vietnam, the Hanoi People’s Court on May 27 handed down sentences to ten defendants in a major corruption and economic mismanagement case involving the Ministry of Health and related agencies, after one week of trial and deliberation.

The defendants were convicted of “violating regulations on the management and use of state assets, causing losses and wastefulness,” “embezzlement through fraud,” and “taking bribes” in connection with the second campuses of Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital.

Former Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien was sentenced to six years in prison for violating regulations on the management and use of State assets, causing losses and wastefulness under Article 219 of the Penal Code.

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