GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

In this report, we offer an initial assessment of the results of the April 12-13 national elections. We begin by discussing the uncertainty resulting from the tie for second place in the first round of the presidential election, and the difficulties faced by the Oficina Nacional de Procesos Elect...

Geopolitics remain the main driver, shekel strength deepens; inflation under control - Weekly report, April 21, 2026

ISRAEL · Report · 21 Apr 2026

Key developments and outlook - Geopolitics remains the dominant driver: While the recent ceasefires have reduced immediate risks, uncertainty around a potential U.S.-Iran agreement and the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon could lead to another round of fighting in the coming weeks. - For the ...

Tisza is moving forward on all fronts

HUNGARY · In Brief · 21 Apr 2026

The war-hit pumping station of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which has been inactive since January 27, miraculously recovered just a few days after the election in Hungary. There is no connection between the two events, of course. Technical tests have reportedly started today and oil may start to flo...

Legislative-Supreme Court crisis escalates and other weekly topics

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 20 Apr 2026

This will be a lighter week due to the Tuesday holiday (Tiradentes Day). President Lula is on an official trip to Europe. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday on the admissibility of constitutional amendments addressing the end of the 6x1 work schedule at the Lower House Constitution and Justice Com...

President Noboa’s legacy

ECUADOR · Forecast · 20 Apr 2026

We have written before that President Noboa single-handedly managed to lose nearly 30% of his popularity ratings in the first 10 months of his mandate due to controversial decisions and the lack of a clear, statesmanlike view. However, he will leave an unquestionably beneficial legacy in the exte...

The House may vote on the admissibility of two PECs on the 6x1 work schedule, the STF will review cases challenging the “minimum subsistence level”, and the PT will hold its 8th National Congress from Friday to Sunday

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 20 Apr 2026

The Constitution and Justice Committee of the House is expected to vote on Wednesday, April 22, on a favorable report by Deputy Paulo Azi regarding the admissibility of two Proposed Constitutional Amendments (PECs) addressing the 6x1 work schedule. If approved, the President of the House, Hugo Mo...

Strong headline growth; growing underlying imbalances

CHINA FINANCIAL · Report · 20 Apr 2026

Special points to highlight in this report: - China’s 5.0% GDP growth in Q1 looks solid, but as always, it is driven mainly by production rather than consumption. Industrial output remains strong while retail sales and household income lagged even more than expected, widening the gap between ...

Economics: The 2027 General Pre-Criteria for Economic Policy shows excessive optimism and disconnect from Mexico’s reality

MEXICO · Report · 20 Apr 2026

At the beginning of the month, the SHCP sent the General Pre-Criteria for Economic Policy for 2027 (PCGPE) to the Congress of the Union. These documents constitute the first step in the budget preparation process for the coming year and include an update of the macroeconomic framework and the exp...

Politics: A preliminary assessment of the new Mexican Supreme Court’s performance so far

MEXICO · Report · 20 Apr 2026

The new Mexican Supreme Court (SCJN), operational for nearly eight months, has already issued two highly controversial rulings that have generated widespread distrust and concern. The first authorizes the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) to freeze bank accounts of individuals and companies witho...

Nightmare on Elm Street

TURKEY · Report · 19 Apr 2026

The phrase “mutlak butlan” (fully null and void) made it back to the politics lexicon a second time, as the scuttlebutt claims Kemal Kilicdaroglu will soon be appointed as trustee to CHP. Meanwhile, MHP leader Bahceli took the axe to his party’s provincial organizations during the week, dissolvin...

All votes are counted: Tisza gained further seats over the last two days

HUNGARY · In Brief · 18 Apr 2026

Vote-counting is now over. In the end, Tisza won 141 seats in parliament (70.9%), on 53.2% of the popular vote, whereas Fidesz has 52 seats (26.1%) on 38.6% of the popular vote. Mi Hazánk kept the remaining 6 seats in the National Assembly. This means that Tisza has a comfortable two-thirds major...

The IMF as a starting point

VENEZUELA · Report · 17 Apr 2026

The formal restoration of relations between Venezuela and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on April 16, 2026 marks an inflection point in the country's economic trajectory. Relations had been suspended in March 2019 over issues related to the recognition of Venezuela's gov...

Eurozone entry criteria to be met by 2030

HUNGARY · In Brief · 17 Apr 2026

Tisza's candidate for finance minister, Mr. Kármán said yesterday that the new government will aim at meeting euro introduction criteria by 2030. In short term, the new government is going to review the fiscal situation, and then propose the amendment of the 2026 budget. As part of that proposal,...

GULF WEEKLY: Peace hopes rise as Iran reopens Hormuz after Lebanon ceasefire, PIF announces 5-year strategy, Kuwait & Abu Dhabi make $4.5bn in private placements

GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 17 Apr 2026

A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Iran’s foreign minister declared Hormuz reopen in response to the ceasefire in Lebanon. * Brent crude has dropped below $90 for the first time in over five weeks. * OPEC data for March showed production declines as high a...

Lula criticized the 20% tax on international purchases of up to US$50, the rapporteur of the PEC on the Central Bank’s autonomy submitted a new proposal, and next week is expected to be quiet due to the holiday (4/21)

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 17 Apr 2026

This week, President Lula criticized the so-called “shein tax,” calling it unnecessary. The government had implemented a 20% tax on international purchases of up to US$50. Yesterday, the rapporteur of the constitutional amendment proposal (PEC) on the Central Bank’s budgetary, administrative, and...