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At the shores of Rubicon
TURKEY · Report · 11 Jul 2021

The economy survived the shock stemming from the sudden change of Governor at the CBRT in late March, without a very major market turmoil so far, contrary to our huge concerns at the time. One key reason is that the most obvious policy mistake, that of a deep and premature rate cut, was avoide...

A declining fiscal deficit will likely support lower bond issuance
ISRAEL · In Brief · 11 Jul 2021

The fiscal deficit declines in June The fiscal deficit in the past 12 months declined to 10.1% GDP from 10.5% last month and 12.1% in March. This positive trend is due to strong revenues and declining emergency Covid fiscal support. The BoI expects a fiscal deficit this year of 7.1% GDP, we envis...

Turkish inflation: 20% is the new 10%?
TURKEY · Report · 09 Jul 2021

In this brief note, we estimate a few simple models of core inflation in Turkey, with a view to gauging its direction through the end of this year. The forecasts vary depending on the model and the sample period, but post-2010, a simple Vector Autoregression model and a Philips Curve specifica...

Current account is strong in 1H21 implying Russia remains net creditor to the rest of the world
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 09 Jul 2021 · 1 response

The Central bank reported that Russia’s current account surplus reached $43.1 bn. It slightly narrowed in 2Q21 to $19.9bn compared to $23.2bn in 1Q21 despite higher exports. It largely happened as the deficit of the income balance widened. Increased imports also helped reduce the surplus, but in ...

Bolsonaro’s positive ratings remain stable, the Ministry of the Economy will consider lowering the tax on investment funds in the Tax Reform proposal, and the Federal Budget Law should be approved next week
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 09 Jul 2021

The polarization between Lula and Bolsonaro remains strong. The government will continue to pay emergency aid until October. Tensions are rising between the Pandemic CPI and the Armed Forces. Minister Marco Aurélio turns 75 on Monday and will be forced to retire; Bolsonaro will likely nominate th...

​GULF WEEKLY: IMF reports on Oman and Saudi, Sharjah issues sukuk, MBS’s brother visits DC
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 09 Jul 2021

A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * There was no visible progress on the OPEC+ impasse but oil has come off its mid-week high. * Also no progress towards a US-Iran deal but more tensions as Iran increased its uranium metal enrichment. * Kuwait surpassed Oma...

Green energy and global warming: a double whammy for Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 09 Jul 2021

On July 8 the Finance Minister said that Russia has to tighten its belt because green energy is leading to a radical reduction in the need for fossil fuels. Carbon pricing and carbon taxes are a major headache for Russia, which earns 40% of state revenue from hydrocarbon exports. It is the bigges...

​A note on domestic politics: Witch’s brew
TURKEY · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021

I’ve spent a good part of the last week trying to make sense of domestic politics. There is unusually hectic activity and static electricity in the air, but it is very difficult to find a main thread, a narrative that would help me make sense of the divergent developments. I confess that I’ve fai...

Dominican Republic calls for urgent humanitarian assistance to Haiti and expresses its disagreement with the meeting of the Security Council in private format
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021

In a statement to the United Nations, the Dominican Republic strongly regretted and condemned the assassination of the President of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, and expressed its condolences to the people and Government of Haiti. The Dominican Republic requests that the necessary assistance be provided ...

Tajikistan requests Russian Military Assistance against the Taliban
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021 · 1 response

On July 8 the Tajiks invoked its right as part of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) to seek military assistance. Tajikistan borders Afghanistan. The US pullout from Afghanistan will be complete by September 11 2021.Tajikistan is alarmed by the rapid advance of the Taliban. Tajiki...

Federal Budget Law should be put to a vote on July 13, Omar Aziz requested the arrest of Roberto Dias in the Pandemic CPI, and the urgent status of the “super salaries” bill was approved
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 08 Jul 2021

Senator Omar Aziz has stated that the Pandemic CPI will continue to function through the parliamentary recess but Senate regulations state that temporary committees cannot work during a recess. Senator Aziz created tension with the Armed Forces by accusing them of being involved in the vaccine co...

Audacious Ukraine legislative reform package
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021

In the first week of July the Ukrainian Parliament passed a bold series of laws. Some ethnic minorities are now classified as indigenous peoples of Ukraine. These include Tatars, Karaites and Krymchaks. This guarantees them language rights. Russians are not so classified much to Moscow's ire and ...

A painful surprise in the June CPI-inflation data
HUNGARY · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021

This was exactly the way Portfolio.hu characterised this morning's data release by KSH, and it was wholly correct. The yoy headline rate went further up to 5.3% yoy in June, from May's 5.1%. Analysts expected this rate to fall to 4.9% (median expectation), and we were essentially part of the crow...

​Russia’s inflation remains elevated
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021

Rosstat reported that in June, inflation m-o-m and y-o-y reached 0.69% and 6.5% accordingly, which remains above expectations. Several factors keep inflation elevated. A too rapid rise in nominal wage, tight labor market, rapidly expanding consumer credit are just a few of them. On top of that, R...

South Africa's x-President Zuma now behind bars
SOUTH AFRICA · In Brief · 08 Jul 2021 · 2 responses

After a day and night of legal and political high drama, x-President Zuma handed over himself to the police minutes before midnight yesterday. South Africa's constitutional democracy and its entire paradigm of 'equality before law' was on trial in full view of the nation all day and night. Zuma i...