Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 157

157th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 157th 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 30, 2026, and Jun 14, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Bolivia Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas Resigns Amid Escalating Protests and Deepening Political Crisis

One noteworthy event has occurred in Bolivia, Marcelo Salinas resigned as Bolivia’s defense minister after more than a month of protests demanding President Rodrigo Paz’s ouster and policy reversals. The demonstrations, involving workers, farmers, miners, and teachers, stem from the country’s worst economic crisis in four decades. Ernesto Justiniano, a vice minister and former anti-drug czar, has been appointed as Salinas’s replacement, signaling a critical shift in Paz’s embattled administration.

Salinas’s resignation follows earlier departures, including the labor and energy ministers, as Paz faces mounting discontent over austerity measures and rising living costs. Education Minister Beatriz Garcia also resigned, underscoring the instability within the cabinet. While Paz has ruled out resigning, his government has hinted at declaring a state of emergency, raising the stakes in the standoff with protesters.

D.K. Shivakumar Sworn In as Karnataka Chief Minister, Leads New Congress Government

Shifting our focus to India, In Karnataka, Senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of the state. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office. Dr G Parameshwar, who held the Home portfolio in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. Twelve legislators also took oath as Cabinet Ministers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated D K Shivakumar on taking oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka. In a social media post, Mr Modi conveyed best wishes to him for his tenure. The Prime Minister said the Centre will work closely with the Karnataka Government for the welfare of the people.

Several senior Congress leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge and Chief Ministers of Telangana, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, attended the ceremony

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Manappa Lamani has been nominated to act as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly until a new Speaker is elected.

Louise Arbour Sworn In as Canada’s 31st Governor General

In Canada, Louise Arbour took her oath as Canada’s 31st Governor General, and wasted little time offering a pointed message about the state of the country she now represents.

Speaking from the Senate chamber throne in Ottawa, the former Supreme Court justice said both extreme polarization and forced consensus are threats to a healthy democracy. The only path forward, she said, is through the “peaceful management” of our differences.

“It is through our differences, and our fundamental right to express them, that we will nourish critical thinking, creativity and innovation,” Arbour said. “It is through our differences that we will build a common future.”

Danish Prosecutors Seek Record €880 Million AML Fine Against Nordea Over Historic Money Laundering Failures

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Denmark’s National Unit for Serious Crime, or NSK, will request a record fine against Nordea to address what the agency called the most extensive set of anti-money laundering breaches ever seen in the country’s financial services sector.

Nordea, the second largest bank in Denmark, was charged with egregiously violating AML rules in July 2024 after handling €3.5 billion of potentially illicit transactions from 2012 to 2015 linked to currency exchanges in Copenhagen and high-profile “laundromat” scandals in Russia and Azerbaijan.

The Copenhagen Post reported that Danish prosecutors would possibly seek a penalty as high as €880 million against Nordea, which would set a record for an AML-related case in Denmark and far exceed the €95 million that the bank initially set aside.

An attorney for the Helsinki, Finland-headquartered lender’s affiliate in Copenhagen confirmed the figure under discussion as €880 million, but questioned the “highly problematic” decision to use the current, tougher version of Denmark’s AML Act to address historical violations.

Former Indonesian Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer Sentenced to Prison in Corruption Case

Shifting our attention Indonesia, Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Court sentenced former Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan to four years and six months in prison for his role in a corruption scheme involving the issuance of occupational safety and health certificates.

A panel of judges at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court found Ebenezer, widely known by his nickname “Noel,” guilty of corruption related to the processing of workplace safety and health (K3) certification permits at the Manpower Ministry.

In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rp 200 million ($11,000). The sentence was lighter than the five-year prison term sought by prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

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