What We’re Watching: Japan’s PM steps down, France to oust Prime Minister, Protesters killed after Nepal bans social media
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns
The center-right leader of the world’s fourth-largest economy was in power for less than a year, but he had been under pressure after a disastrous midterm election result saw his LDP party lose its majority in both houses for the first time since World War Two. Unusually high inflation, a sluggish economy, and deepening intraparty tensions ultimately did him in. The campaign to replace him as party leader is already under way, with the moderate Koizumi Shinjiro and conservative Sanae Takaichi the current front runners – the election is expected to take place in October, though it could come before the end of the month.
France to oust Prime Minister over spending cuts
French Prime Minister François Bayrou will likely lose a confidence vote today over his unpopular cost-cutting budget – making him the fourth French premier to fall in less than two years. With debt at nearly 114% of GDP and deficits far above European Union limits, Bayrou is dying (politically) on the hill that overspending threatens the country’s survival. President Emmanuel Macron must now appoint a new PM. Will he tap someone from the leftwing coalition that held the far right at bay for him in the 2024 snap elections? The turmoil risks further credit downgrades, rising bond spreads, and social unrest.
Nepalese “Gen Z” protest against social media shutdown turns deadly
At least 19 people were killed during a “Gen Z” protest in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu on Monday, as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a crowd of people demonstrating against the country’s recent shutdown of social media. Some protestors had forced their way into the parliament complex and set fire to an ambulance. The government said it banned social media because platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and WeChat failed to register with the authorities. Critics believe it’s part of a broader crackdown on free speech in the Himalayan country of nearly 30 million people.