The Capitals: Weekly Recap
Moscow, Russia
It has been a significant week for Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin securing a fifth presidential tenure, surpassing Joseph Stalin. The European Union Leaders’ summit in Brussels announced new sanctions related to the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, along with economic sanctions and tariffs.
- This week marked the country’s worst terrorist attack in decades.
- ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, with eyewitnesses describing the terrorists in camouflage fatigues.
- Four individuals believed to be involved in the attack were arrested while trying to cross the border into Ukraine.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
The government in Colombo approved a proposal to overhaul the country’s parliamentary election system. Discussions within the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have raised the possibility of rearranging the electoral timeline, potentially prioritizing parliamentary polls over the presidential contest.
- A cabinet sub-committee is working on a hybrid electoral system, with 160 members to be elected through a first-past-the-post system and 65 members via proportional representation.
- The total number of MPs will remain at 225, with the current framework allocating seats based on district-level proportional representation.
New Delhi, India
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of the Indian National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on corruption charges related to the city’s liquor business policy.
- Kejriwal’s detention, just before India begins voting, poses a setback for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition alliance.
- Despite the arrests of key party leaders, Kejriwal stated he would not resign and would continue to govern the city from jail if necessary.