Weekly International
Press Brief
February
22 – 26 : II : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
February
15 – 19 : II : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
March
14 - 18 : III : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
February
08 – 12 : II : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
February
01 – 05 : II : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
January
25 – 29 : I : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
January
18 – 22 : I : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
January
11 – 15 : I : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
January
04 – 08 : I : 2016
Weekly International
Press Brief
December
14 – 18 : XII : 2015
Weekly International
Press Brief
December
07 – 11 : XI : 2015
Weekly International
Press Brief
December
30 – 04 : XII : 2015
Weekly International
Press Brief
November
23 – 27 : XI : 2015
Weekly International
Press Brief
November
16 – 20 : XI : 2015
Weekly International
Press Brief
November
09 – 13 : XI : 2015
Weekly International
Press Brief
November
02 – 06 : XI : 2015
Presidential Election in Russia
15| March| 2024
Russian voters went to polls from 15 to 17 March to (re)elect their president, Vladimir Putin, who was running for a fifth term, 24 years after he first came to power. These elections are seen as a way of reinforcing Putin's control of the country and support for the war in Ukraine, since there warno opposition candidates (they have died, are in exile or were unable to stand) and the remaining 3 candidates were supporters of the President.
2 years of war in Ukraine
28| February | 2024
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Two years later, the conflict continues with profound implications for European security, the international order and the world economy.
Henry A. Kissinger: 1923-2023
5 | December | 2023
Henry Kissinger was probably the most powerful and influential American diplomat and Secretary of State of the 20th century. A realist, he was always guided by the defence of the national interest, with a decisive impact on the world. He shaped the geopolitics of the Cold War, negotiating with world leaders such as Deng Xiaoping, Leonid Brezhnev, Anwar Sadat and Golda Meir, among others. Controversial and a staunch anti-communist, he promoted a strategy of détente with Russia and the restoration of relations with China.
Turkey Elections 2023
30 | May | 2023
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was re-elected president of Turkey in the second round of elections, defeating Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu by 4 percent. Before the first round of elections on May 14, several analysts believed there was a real chance of winning for the opposition leader representing a united opposition. Erdoğan's AKP rules the country for over two decades, but the recent earthquakes, the country's economic situation and the Kurdish electorate vote were seen as factors that could influence a change in the Turkish political chess.
USA: Midterm elections 2022
22 | November | 2022
On November 8, Americans go to the polls in midterm elections to choose the House of Representatives, one third of the Senate, and 36 governors. The outcome of these elections will influence not only the next two years of Biden’s administration, but also transatlantic relations and support for Ukraine. On the other hand, many analysts believe that a Trump comeback and the future of American democracy are also at stake.
Iran Protests
24 | January | 2023
TThe death of Mahsa Amini on September 16 after being detained by the morality police sparked a broad wave of protests in Iran that quickly evolved into a movement of protests against the regime. Despite the violent repression with which the regime has responded to the demonstrators, the protests have not died down.
Brazil's presidential elections
4 | November | 2022
In a close vote and a record turnout, Lula da Silva was elected in the second round with 50.9 % of the votes. It is the first time in the history of Brazil that an incumbent President is not re-elected, in an electoral process that was probably the most polarised in Brazilian democracy. However, many supporters of the defeated candidate did not accept the results and took the streets in protests, closing roads and spreading fears that violence would take on destabilising proportions.
Italy's Election
29 | september | 2022
The fall of Mario Draghi's Italian government on 20 July has caused a shock wave in the country and the calling of early parliamentary elections for 25 September. The polls indicate that the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party led by Giorgia Meloni, with neo-fascist roots, is likely to win in coalition with Matteo Salvini's Lega party and Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia.
Taiwan Crisis
16 | October | 2022
Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan provoked strong protests from Beijing, which in response adopted a series of retaliatory measures, such as aggressive military exercises around the island and a media campaign promoting the "One China" principle, and aggravating the tense relations between China and the United States.
French presidential election
12 | april | 2022
As polls suggested, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen will face each other in the second round of the French presidential elections on April 24. However, the narrow advantage with which the incumbent president is starting against the far-right candidate, in an election marked by high abstention and poor electoral performance of the more traditional parties, has raised many questions in the French and international press about the future of the French political system and the impact on Europe.
Are coups back in Africa?
12 | february | 2022
Over the last 18 months there have been 7 coups or attempted coups in various African countries. Following the latest coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS met to discuss the events, classifying them as a threat to the entire region and fearing a contagion movement.
Ukraine War
21 | february | 2022
The Russian recent military build-up on the border with Ukraine has meant increased tensions with the United States and NATO allies. Russia, with the support of China, is demanding an end to NATO expansion. Diplomatic efforts are multiplying to avoid escalating tensions.
German elections and the end of Merkel's era
28 | september | 2021
The German federal elections of September 26, 2021 mark the end of the so-called Merkel era, after 16 years as head of the government. The SPD's victory by only 1.6% over the CDU and the results of several political forces open up the possibility of several multiparty coalitions. In the European Union and in international politics, Germany's role will become increasingly relevant in a transitional context in the international system..
COP26
16 | November | 2021
In 2015, the Paris Accords were turning point in global climate governance, mobilising 187 countries representing over 95% of greenhouse gas emissions into an agreement to reduce emissions. Six years later, the latest IPCC report and increasing climate catastrophes raise doubts about the international community's ability to address the environmental challenge. COP 26 brought together politicians, experts and activists in Glasgow to seek solutions and commitments for climate protection.
9/11: 20 years later
1 | november | 2021
Twenty years ago, 9/11 changed the world. It reshaped foreign policy and the terrorist threat, as well as the war on terror, was at the centre of the international agenda. Bin Laden was killed and Al Qaeda mutated. Today, there are new threats and new actors. What was the legacy of 9/11?
Vaccine Geopolitics
8 | february | 2021
Even before most covid-19 vaccines were approved, the world's richest countries had already ordered millions of vaccines, despite calls from the WHO that these agreements could hinder access to vaccination for poorer countries warning against "vaccine nationalism" and that the pandemic is global and requires global vaccination. COVAX, an initiative to provide access to equitable treatment and vaccination, has distributed vaccines around the world, but access to vaccines remains unequal between different parts of the world.
Afghanistan: the taliban's return
23| September | 2021
On 15 August 2021, President Karzai's departure marks the fall of Kabul. Just 3 months after Allied troops began their withdrawal from the country, and after 20 years of war, the chaos of evacuation and the reinstallation of a Taliban regime ensued.
Tunisia's political crisis
03 | august | 2021
After months-long protests with an escalating pandemic, economic and political crisis, on July 25 President Kaïs Saïed assumed executive powers by sacking the Prime Minister and suspending the Parliament and removed immunity for MP’s. A decade after the Arab Spring, Tunisia faces a new crossroads between democracy and authoritarianism.
Myanmar's coup d'etat
03 | august | 2021
In the February 1st military coup in Myanmar, the military arrested President Aung San Suu Kyi and several members of the government and parliament, sparking massive protests across the country. Despite strong international condemnation of the coup and the civil resistance (violently suppressed), the military seeks to consolidate the regime and Aung San Suu Kyi faces trial for electoral fraud.
Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
24 | April | 2021
Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on a truce, negotiated with Russia, for peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in an attempt to end the escalation of violence in a region whose sovereignty has been contested by the two countries for decades. The agreement is causing a political crisis in Armenia and reflects Azerbaijan's likely military Victory. Azerbaijan will maintain sovereignty over the conquered territories and restore Armenian-controlled provinces on the Nagorno-Karabakh border.
Putin and Constitutional Reform in Russia
25 | March | 2020
On 15 January, during his speech to the Nation, Vladimir Putin announced a constitutional reform that will give Parliament more powers and promote the Council of State of an advisory body to the Constitutional body. Dmitry Medvedev's government immediately resigned and the chief of the Tax Authority, Michail Mishustin, was appointed Prime Minister. The mention, during the speech, to an end of the limitation "maximum of two terms in a row" in the Presidency launched the debate on the political future of the Russian President.
United States - Iran Tensions
27 | January | 2020
The death of General Soleimani in Iraq, commander of the Quds unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, by order of the American President, increased the level of tension between the two countries and across the Middle East. In retaliation, Iran announced that it would remove limits on enriching uranium and launched a missile battery against U.S. bases in Iraq. On the other hand, fearing a new conflict on national territory, the Iraqi Parliament has called all foreign forces to leave the country.
Turkish operation in Syria
25 | October | 2019
After the US withdrawal from northern Syria, Turkey has launched a military operation in the against the Syrian Democratic Forces, with fighter from the Kurdish YPG, long-standing allies of the United States. Suffering heavy casualties and lost territory, the Kurds are now negotiating support with Assad and Putin. What will be the impact of this new escalation in the Syrian conflict for Europe, the United States, and upon political and security dynamics in the Middle East?
Brexit
01 | August | 2019
After agreeing to a six-month extension as EU member until 31 October, Britain is more divided than ever on Brexit and facing the mounting challenges to British politics after the resignation of Theresa May and the choice of a new Prime Minister.
Algeria in protest
29 | July | 2019
After six weeks of mass protests and growing pressure on the regime, with the Army Chief of Staff calling for the use of article 102 of Algeria’s Constitution prediction the oust of a sick president, Bouteflika finally resigned. Protesters, however, are not satisfied and have taken to the streets again, demanding a regime change.
Sudan Uprising
22 | July | 2019
After several months of protests against Omar al-Bashir's regime, the Military toppled the president and the Defence Minister has sworned in as the head of the transitional military council. Nonetheless the people continues on the streets demanding a civil leadership to Sudan and real regime change.
Venezuela in Crisis
23 | July | 2019
The launch of the last phase of Operation Libertad by Juan Guaidó, which the self-named interim president believed would lead to the resignation of Nicolás Maduro, deepened the impasse in Venezuela. In Latin America, the balance of powers is played between countries, but also the impact of non-regional powers, such as the USA, Russia, China and the EU.
Presidencial Election in Ukraine
18 | June | 2019
After winning the first round of the presidential election in Ukraine with 30 percent of votes, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a 41-year-old comedian and sitcom star, defeated the incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, in the runoff of April 21, after a campaing marked by na anti-corruption discourse.
Trump-Kim Summit in Hanoi
01 | April | 2019
Following the Singapore Summit on the 12th of June 2018, Presidents Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un will meet again, this time in Hanoi, at a summit full of symbolism and expectation that the process of denuclearization of North Korea and peace in the Asian continent will advance.
Brazil: Bolsonaro's Presidency
23 | April | 2019
Elected on the 28th October as the 38th President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro assumed, on January 1st 2019, the leadership of a country heavily divided and in a climate of economic and social crisis, after an electoral campaign marked by great political polarization, the role of social media and the debate on insecurity in the country. Without a majority in Congress, the new head of State promises to implement deep reforms in the country.
India & Pakistan escalating tensions
4 | April | 2019
After a terrorist attack, the shot of fighter jets raised the level of tensions between the two nuclear powers in South Asia over the disputed region of Kashmir. Pakistan, as a gesture of good faith, released the Indian pilot captured on February 27. Will this step be enough to avoid further escalation of violence?
United States Midterm Elections
28 | November | 2018
In the USA midterm elections, the Democrats won a majority in the House of Representatives while the Republicans hold sway in the Senate. What will the impact be, of the new composition of the Congress on Trump’s Presidency, in terms of both domestic and foreign policies?
Elections in Brazil
10 | November | 2018
Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right populist candidate, won the second round of the presidential election with 55% of the vote. In a campaign marked by controversial statements and a growing polarization in the Brazilian society, the defeated candidate, Fernando Haddad (45%), and the international community worry that the President-elected wants a return to dictatorship in the country.
Swedish election
10 | September | 2018
The Swedish general election, on the 9th of September, gave the Social-Democrats first place, albeit with their worst result ever (28.4%). The Moderates followed at 19.8% and the Sweden Democrats – a far-right party, in third place, at 17.6%. What impact will this outcome have on the country and in Europe?
Helsinki Summit
18 | July | 2018
At the Helsinki Summit, US President Trump and Russian President Putin sit down to debate a number of issues pertaining to international politics and security, namely war in Syria, arms control and the situation in the Ukraine. Taking place only a few days after the NATO summit, this meeting has elicited much speculation over its outcome, but also raised concerns in Europe over the prospect of the USA’s “friendliness” towards Russia leading to concessions.
NATO Summit
13 | July | 2018
Between the 11th and the 12th of July, amid an atmosphere of rising tensions between its membres, a historic Summit is held in Brussels to debate questions of pivotal importance to the future of the Atlantic Alliance, such as burden-sharing, migrations, terrorismo and the relatioship with Russia and NATOS’s eastern border.
Presidential Elections in Mexico
5 | July | 2018
Andrés Manuel Lopes Obrador was elected President of Mexico on 1 July with the promise of tackling the economic crisis and the growing corruption and violence in the country. It is the first time in decades that a left-wing politician achieves the Presidency in the second biggest economy of Latin America.
General Elections in Turkey
3 | July | 2018
Sunday, the 24th of June, Turkish voters are heading to the polls to elect the President and the members of Parliament. The outcome of the early elections will be decisive for the future of the country and its political system: the possible victory of AKP and the reelection of President Erdogan will mean the consolidation of his power and the implementation of a presidential system, but Muharrem Ince’s vibrant campaign in the last few days may entail further polarization in society and the need for a runoff round.
Syrian War: international escalation
3 | July | 2018
After a suspected chemical attack in opposition-held Douma on April 7, the US President announced a military response, joined by France and the UK, against the Syrian regime. Russia alerted to the possible consequences of an intervention and, despite the escalation in international tensions, the UN Security Council failed to adopt three resolutions to establish responsibility for the attack.
Presidential Election in Colombia
28 | June | 2018
The conservative candidate Ivan Duque (a protégé of former President Álvaro Uribe) won the second round of Colombia’s presidential election with 54% of the vote against left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro (42%). This ballot was marked by the polarization between the candidates and within society, and the outlook on the peace agreement, signed in 2016 with FARC, was one of the chief points of dissent between candidates.
Italian-style government
21 | June | 2018
After several days of alarm in Europe and the markets, following the presidential veto to the first government proposal by 5 Stars and Northern League, the coalition partners have agreed upon a new government under the leadership of law professor Giuseppe Conte, defining migration issues as one of the main flags of their mandate.
Spain: Changes at the Moncloa
21 | June | 2018
In Spain, the approval of a no-confidence vote against the PP government headed by Mariano Rajoy led to the appointment of Pedro Sánchez as prime minister of a PSOE government that gathers the parliamentary support of a number of left-wing and nationalist parties.
Elections in Hungary
19 | April | 2018
The general election in Hungary gave a landslide victory to Viktor Orbán's right-wing nationalist party Fidesz. His anti-immigration agenda and the backlash on democratic rights and guarantees have relaunched the debate on the democratic crisis and the development of populist parties and movements in Europe.
Russian election
23 | March | 2018
The presidential election of March 18 confirmed all the projections of a comfortable victory for Vladimir Putin. Despite the ongoing economic crisis and the various conflicts (from Ukraine to Syria) in which the country has been involved, the election campaign focused on security issues and the affirmation of Russia as a great power.
Syrian Conflict
11 | April | 2018
Since the cease-fire reached by Jordan, the USA and Russia, took effect on the 9th of July, tensions have de-escalated, with the Islamic State sustaining a number of heavy defeats. In various parts of Syria, negotiations for rebuilding are already under way, while talk increases of the nearing endgame and the maintenance of Assad in power.
Political Crisis in Brazil II
9 | April | 2018
The Brazilians went back to the streets against the government, demanding the demotion of the president, Michel Temer. This time the demonstration was about the revelation of a recorded conversation that indicates the president was involved in bribing.
Tensions with North Korea
5 | April | 2018
Following the successful launching, by North Korea, of an intercontinental ballistic missile, on July 4th, tensions in the Korean peninsula are mounting, as well as the level of threat to international security.
Italian election
5 | April | 2018
The coming parliamentary election of March 4 happen in a moment of crisis and great social uproar, with immigration and security issues at the centre of the election campaign. With polls indicating a weakening of the traditional parties and the rise of the right-wing radical parties, the formation of the next Government and choose the new Prime Minister is still very difficult to predict.
Brexit II
5 | April | 2018
On March 29th, Theresa May formally activated the article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, triggering the process of negotiations that will lead to the permanent separation between the United Kingdom and the EU. If one considers the speech of the British prime-minister, given in January, the idea of a hard Brexit gains track casting a shade of skepticism over the next two years.
Venezuelan crisis
4 | April | 2018
In the last few months, the Venezuelans have gone to the streets to demonstrate against president Nicolas Maduro government, claiming for new elections. Currently, the population has no access to basic goods such as medical drugs and food, and the inflation rose to around 500 per cent. The OAS was very critical towards the Venezuelan government after Maduro's suspension of the National Assembly and the election of a Constituent Assembly.
Catalonia's Independence
28 | March | 2018
With the controversial referendum for Catalan Independence set for the 1st of October, tensions are rising between central and regional governments, sparked by the prohibition of the ballot on the grounds of unconstitutionality, the confiscation of electoral material and the police reinforcements.
Presidential election in Kenya
20 | March | 2018
The presidential elections in Kenya, on August 8th, were considered fraudulent by the Supreme Court. As a result, the suffrage was repeated on the 26th October, and the incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta won again, with a percentage of 98.26 of the votes. President's Kenyatta major opponent, Raila Odinga, redraw from the contest, called for an electoral boycott and contested the new results of the ballots,but the Supreme Court validated the results.
Germany: coalition agreement
19| March | 2018
On February 7th, 5 months after the elections for the German Parliament, CDU/CSU and SPD have reached a coalition agreement for the formation of a new government, bringing relief to national institutions and Europe. Nevertheless, the long and difficult period of talks and losses in the federal elections, led to an heated debate on the future of the two main parties and their leaderships.
Zimbabwe: factional war of susccession
18 | March | 2018
On November 15th, there was a pacific military coup leading to the resignation of Robert Mugabe, then President of Zimbabwe, for the last 37 years. The liberation war veterans were the perpetrators due to an increasing competition in the dominant-party ZANU-PF. Behind it, there is a dissatisfaction with the removal of former Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa and the rise of the First lady Grace Mugabe as a potential successor.
Presidential Election in Chile
12 | March | 2018
The result of the first round of the presidential election in Chile put Sebastián Piñera (Chile Vamos) and Alejandro Guillier (Nueva Mayoría) face to face in the second round of December 17th. With a low turnout (46%), consistent with what has occurred since the return to democracy, the result, which put Beatriz Sanchez (Frente Amplio) in third place, reflects a change in the Chilean political map.
Kurdistan Independence
14| March| 2018
Following the “yes” victory in the 25th of September referendum over the independence of the Iraqi Kurdistan, tensions have risen between Bagdad and Erbil. On the 16th of October, the Iraqi federal government launched a military operation to restore its sovereignty in the region, by taking back Kirkuk and the oil fields that once had been under the control of the Islamic State.
Donald Trump's foreign policy
18 | Janeiro | 2018
Since early in the campaign, Donald Trump made several statements on changing the United States foreign policy. Albeit his suspension of the internationalist tradition and the disdain for traditional alliances, his foreign policy has been far less radical than expected.
Terrorism in Europe
3 | Outubro | 2017
The DAESH terrorist attacks in several European countries brought back the debate about European security strategies as well as the efficiency of the struggle against terrorism.
Mosul Reconquered
24| October | 2017
The Iraqi Prime-Minister announced the liberation of Mosul, with only small pockets remaining under Islamic State control in Iraq. This victory, of great symbolic value after three years of occupation, does not assuage the huge challenges faced by the region and the country.
G20 Summit
25 | July | 2017
The 2017 G20 Summit was held in Hamburg, on the 7th and 8th of July, with an agenda marked by issues such as climate change, counter-terrorism, international trade and security policy, in a moment when tensions are mounting in various parts of the world.
United Kingdom General election
11 | July | 2017
Theresa May won the general elections in the United Kingdom but she fell short of eight seats to gain majority. Against May's major electoral goal, the Conservative Party was not able to reinforce its mandate, a requirement to implement a hard Brexit in the upcoming negotiations with the EU. The Conservatives announced a post-electoral coalition with the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) of Northern Ireland in order to form government.
Helmut Kohl (1930-2017)
30 | June | 2017
Helmut Kohl, former German Chancellor and thought to be the father of German reunification, died at the age of 87 years old. A historic leader of the CDU and statesman of European dimension, he was also one of the major contributors to the deepening of the European project and the Western transition to a post-Cold War order.
French Presidential Election
24 | June | 2017
Emmanuel Macron (En Marche!) was elected president of France with 66% of the popular vote against 34% of Marine Le Pen (National Front). The European Union lauded the results as a triumph of the European project. However, the abstention attained 25% and the white and null votes reached its highest rate ever, of 11%. Divisions and lack of satisfaction might contribute for Macron’s difficulties in running the country.
Iran Presidential Election
30 | May | 2017
Hassan Rouhani was reelected president of Iran in May 19th by achieving more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round. Rouhani is a moderate and stands for diplomatic openness in foreign policy. He was a key player in the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Zbigniew Brzezinski (1928-2017)
29 | May | 2017
Zbigniew Brzezinski, former head of National Security Council during Jimmy Carter administration (1977-1981), died at 89 years old. He was a democrat and one of the most influential foreign policy strategists of the 20th century. He was at the head of the cabinet that dealt with the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, as well as with the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan.
South Korea presidential election
18 | May | 2017
Moon Jae-in, a former human rights layer and the candidate of the Democratic Party is the new president of South Korea. The anticipated election of May 9th was a consequence of Park Geun-hye impeachment. The new president has two major internal tasks ahead: to improve the economy and to reduce youth unemployment. However, this election became more important internationally due to his rapprochement policy with North Korea.
Turkish Referendum
15 | May | 2017
The Turkish people voted "yes" in the referendum to amend the Constitution. The new general law gives further powers to the president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, once it transforms Ankara, currently a parliamentary democracy, into a presidential system. However, the opposition parties are contesting the electoral results and asking for a recount of one third of the votes.
Syrian War
23 | December| 2016
After the escalation of the Syrian conflict and the humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo, the UN Security Council approved unanimously a resolution that allows the deployment of international observers to monitor the evacuation of civilians from the war zone. This resolution revived the debate over the merits of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine.
Fighting over Mosul
23 | December| 2016
The Iraqi army and its allies launched an offensive strike over Mosul to recover the territory controlled by ISIS. The ground battle resumed the debates on the future of Iraq and the impact of the military strike on the war in Syria.
Donald J. Trump elected as 45th President of the USA
29 | November| 2016
After a long evening of vote counting, the United States of America has a new elected president, Donald J. Trump. The candidate of the Republican Party won a comfortable victory of 289 electoral votes while the Democratic Party only took 218. In the day after, analysts, scholars and policy makers start the debate on how this populist president will impact the United States domestically, its foreign policy and in the superpower relations with the rest of the world.
Election of the 9th UN Secretary-General
06 | October | 2016
Last Tuesday, October 6th, after a formal election, Antonio Guterres was recommended unanimously by the Security Council as the best candidate to run as Secretary General. The former High Commissioner for the Refugees will start as the 9th Secretary General of the United Nation in January, after the approval by simple majority of the General Assembly, in a closed door voting. The choice of Guterres has been considered the most transparent process of this kind in the history of the organization.
Turkey's Failed Coup
3 | January| 2017
The failed coup in Turkey triggered a crisis with several layers. Internally a large numbers of high officials have been demoted or jailed and the overall repression increased. Externally, the changes beg for questions yet to be answered: What is going to be the impact of the events in NATO, in the EU, in Syria civil war, in the refugee crisis, and the struggle against ISIS.
Brexit
14 | December | 2016
The EU referendum led to the victory of the Leave supporters with 51,9% of the votes. The immediate impacts were the Prime-Minister’s David Cameron resignation and the global markets oscillation. The future of Europe and the UK is now under a big uncertainty.
USA Presidential Elections
2 | November | 2016
After the very contested primaries, the Republican convention in Cleveland nominated Donald Trump as their candidate to presidency, and the Democratic convention in Philadelphia nominated Hillary Clinton as theirs. The polls point to a divisions of the voters, one of the many examples of the society polarization.
Political Crisis in Brazil
5 | January | 2017
After due investigations, the Brazilian Senate voted in favor of Dilma Rousseff destitution. The interim President, Michel Temer, is now the formal President of the Republic until the next general elections, scheduled for 2018.
Elections in Iran
19 | May | 2016
President Rouhani and his associates won the first round of the Iranian elections. The people has voted for the Islamic Advisory Assembly and the Experts Assembly. The later will chose the Spiritual Leader of the Islamic Republic. This is the first electoral act since Teheran sign the Nuclear Agreement.
Taiwan Election
22 | January | 2016
Tsai Ing-Wen and his Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential and legislative elections in Taiwan last January 16th.
Nuclear Agreement with Iran
27 | August | 2015
It took twelve years to reach a historical agreement between Iran and UNSC countries plus Germany. Teheran agreed to stop its nuclear program.
Working Paper n.º 65/ 2023
DIGITESAUDE.PT – Portugal, Envelhecimento e Saúde: o impacto da transição digital na atualidade e os desafios do futuro
25 julho | 2023
Teresa Rodrigues | IPRI-NOVA
João Estevens | IPRI-NOVA
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Portugal, Envelhecimento, Saúde, Transição digital
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23906/wp65/2023
Resumo
A Covid-19 criou uma conjuntura que acelerou as aplicações da tecnologia digital em todos os domínios. Na saúde, governos e instituições necessitaram de respostas rápidas para mitigar os impactos da pandemia e a digitalização da saúde faz parte dessa resposta. A crescente digitalização da saúde gera oportunidades na resposta e eficiência económica, mas também com desafios relacionados com o acesso generalizado à saúde. As dificuldades adensam-se quando falamos de idosos, tendencialmente com níveis médios de literacia digital inferiores à média nacional, mas que não podem ser esquecidos no atual processo de transição digital, em particular numa área como a saúde.
Working Paper n.º 64/2023
Two sides of the same mirror: the point of view of implementers and recipients of public reception and integration policies...
March 21st | 2023
Ana Leão Varela | IPRI-NOVA
Teresa Rodrigues | IPRI-NOVA
KEYWORDS: migration; refugees; asylum seekers; COVID-19
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23906/wp64/2023
Abstract
We argue that crisis triggered by COVID-19 increased pre-existing vulnerabilities in what concerns to minorities’ access to basic and public social resources in receiving countries, taking the Portuguese reality as an example. Our conclusions are based on the investigation made under the scope of the PPEACE project (Public Policies and Reception of Foreign Citizens Project), which aims to contribute to scientific advance in public policies and to propose better-informed policy options for the reception of asylum seekers and refugees. Based on the results of 180 questionnaires applied from October 2020 to February 2021, to asylum seekers and refugees, public entities, and NGO representatives we confront migrants’ perceptions/experiences and service providers’ needs and views. Through their eyes we try to discuss the impact that the pandemic had on public policies for reception and integration, the obstacles upraised to guaranteeing the access of this vulnerable individuals to public resources, satisfaction of basic needs, and the most affected dimensions of their daily life. The results of our empirical study reveal that the perceptions of recipients and implementers of public policies in times of pandemic are two sides of the same mirror and differ considerably. Differences are substantial between receivers and givers but with no significant or fracturing discrepancies. In this sense, this methodologic exercise reinforces the importance of participatory processes for better understanding the impacts of public policies on vulnerable groups, on the access to fundamental rights and satisfaction of basic needs.
Working Paper n.º 63/2022
Demographic ageing: the rigidity of conventional metrics and the need for their revision
28 | janeiro | 2022
Maria João Valente Rosa
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities/ NOVA University of Lisbon & IPRI-NOVA
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: population ageing; demographic ageing metrics; chronological and prospective age; life expectancy; economic life cycle
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23906/wp63/2022
Abstract
This article aims to discuss the scope and value of the conventional metrics used to assess and compare levels of ageing between different populations. The age brackets for classifying if the population is ageing or aged are typically based on chronological age and are very close to the stages of the economic tripartite life cycle: the school/education phase; the labour market participation phase; the retirement phase. Those conventional metrics produce distortions in capturing the levels of demographic ageing. If the change in the age structure is rooted in social development, not in a social crisis, having more people in older ages should be related to that. Living longer, on average, does not only mean living more years but also a change in people's social profile, which the usual metrics for measuring ageing do not capture. Because of the central place that demographic ageing occupies in the framework of social, political and scientific reflection on the present and future of societies, Demographic Science should contribute with new metrics reflecting the real social improvements in populations age structures. This reflection supports the need to undertake a critical analysis of the way demographic ageing has usually been presented; stresses the need to advance ageing metrics that match societies' development by considering the life expectancy; and presents a new indicator for measurement demographic ageing that compares what we observe with what we can expect from the age structure at any given mortality level.
Working Paper n.º 62/2020
Literacia do Oceano: Dos Princípios à Década da Ciência do Oceano
11 | setembro | 2020
Raquel L. Costa, Bernardo Mata, Patrícia Conceição e Fernanda Silva
Direção-Geral de Política do Mar
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Literacia do Oceano, Escola Azul, Década da Ciência do Oceano
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23906/wp62/2020
Abstract
A Literacia do Oceano nasceu em 2004 nos EUA como uma resposta à inexistência de temas relacionados com o oceano no ensino formal. Ao longo dos últimos 16 anos o conceito evoluiu e foi adotado e adaptado um pouco por todo o mundo. Da evolução do conceito de Literacia do Oceano em Portugal nasceu em 2017 o programa Escola Azul. A Década das Nações Unidas dedicada à Ciência do Oceano para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável que agora se inicia é o enquadramento perfeito para que a Literacia do Oceano se afirme estrategicamente a nível global, atuando como aglutinador de ações, setores e atores, a uma só voz.
Working Paper n.º 61/2020
Trends and Challenges in the Social Protection of Self-Employed Workers in Portugal: The Slow Erosion of Dualisation (1990-2020)
11 | maio | 2020
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Rui Branco, NOVA University of Lisbon & IPRI-NOVA
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Autonomous University of Lisbon & Observare/UAL
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Portugal; autonomous workers; dualisation; independent workers; social protection reforms
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23906/wp61/2020
Abstract
Self-employed workers in Portugal have historically been in a position of lower social protection relative to salaried contract workers. The coverage and quality of their protection by the social security system has improved over the years, closing the gap toward employees. This working paper analyses this long path towards convergence and examines the remaining gaps, both in a national and EU context. It takes a detailed look into the period 2009 to 2019, a decade of reforms amidst deep economic crisis and recovery.We find that, despite steps towards convergence, and important recent reforms, the social protection of the self-employed relative to salaried workers still displays gaps in coverage and adequacy. The access to social protection of the self-employed still lags behind in unemployment benefits, paid sick leave and long term care. As regards inequalities in protection within the universe of the self-employed, we found in general an even pattern across self-employed categories. Particulaly, economically dependent workers are not worse off than the two other major groups, own account workers and employers. There remains, however, a crucial exception, which is the outstanding lack of unemployment protection for own account workers relative to the other self-employed, as well as salaried workers. Finally, inequalities still persist as a result of a skewed balance between the contributory effort and the social protection granted: the self-employed pay a higher proportion of their income while enjoying fewer benefits than salaried workers.
Working Paper n.º 60/2020
As Bases Sociais dos Partidos Portugueses
14 | abril | 2020
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.João Cancela, NOVA FCSH & IPRI-NOVA
Pedro C. Magalhães, ICS-ULisboa
PALAVRAS-CHAVE: participação eleitoral; comportamento eleitoral; eleições
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23906/wp60/2020
Resumo
Este estudo examina os inquéritos pós-eleitorais de 2002 a 2019 para determinar as principais características sociais dos eleitorados dos principais partidos portugueses e analisar em que medida ocorreram transformações relevantes do longo deste período. Existem traços importantes de continuidade desde 2002 até hoje: a ausência de uma relação entre o sexo dos inquiridos e as suas opções de voto; uma relação forte entre a intensidade da religiosidade e da prática religiosa e as opções pelo voto à direita do espectro partidário; e a inexistência de uma clivagem esquerda-direita do ponto de vista da instrução. Por outro lado, existem também sinais de mudança. Há uma relação cada vez mais forte entre quer o sexo dos inquiridos quer o seu rendimento e a participação eleitoral, com os homens e aqueles com rendimentos mais elevados a absterem-se menos. Além disso, a partir de 2015, o centro-direita (PSD+CDS) começa a mostrar dificuldades em atrair o voto dos mais velhos. Por fim, se até 2009 ter rendimentos mais elevados não aumentava significativamente a propensão para votar nos partidos de centro-direita, essa relação intensifica-se a partir das eleições de 2011.
More Articles ...
New Publication
New Publication
