Vlad's sociopolitical update 231123

Good morning, fellow Bulbers :) 

Here is the recent version of the "Vlad's sociopolitical update" regarding developments worldwide. I am interested in different topics, and if you have some favorite topic, please write to me about it, and I will try to publish about it later. Here are some of my recent reads. 

French Dispatch: The Italian Prime Minister nomination process may undergo significant changes as proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister, but the reform aims to limit this discretion. The reform would require the President to appoint either the outgoing Prime Minister or another MP from the ruling majority, triggering elections if the government collapses. Additionally, the proposal suggests assigning 55% of parliamentary seats to the winning coalition or party to ensure a strong majority. However, the reform faces opposition, with critics calling it dangerous and sloppy. If not supported by two-thirds of Parliament, the reform would be subject to a referendum, marking the first attempt at constitutional changes since a failed attempt seven years ago. The goal is to create stable governments, addressing Italy's history of 31 Prime Ministers and 69 governments since World War II. The reform now faces a complex process in the Italian Parliament, starting from the Senate.

CSIS: The ongoing conflict in Gaza has severely impacted the region's electricity infrastructure. Hamas rockets damaged electrical lines from Israel on October 7, leading to a refusal by Israeli utility workers to repair them. The Israeli government subsequently cut off direct electricity and blocked diesel imports, causing Gaza's sole power plant to shut down. UN agencies reported fuel shortages, affecting hospitals and desalination plants. Internet and phone services collapsed on November 17, hindering aid deliveries. Israeli strikes damaged solar infrastructure, including a wastewater plant and rooftop panels at al-Shifa hospital. The IDF argued that solar panels could serve military purposes. Some intact solar systems couldn't function due to the collapsed grid, highlighting the vulnerability of electrical grids with external dependencies. Despite damage, solar power remains crucial for Gazans, slowing fuel depletion, aiding hospitals, and allowing phone charging. The conflict underscores the dual-use nature of electricity supply, making distinguishing between humanitarian and military purposes challenging. The resilience of small-scale solar systems in conflict zones has been demonstrated. Still, future combatants may seek to limit adversaries' access to solar power.

Latin America Daily Briefing: Argentine president-elect Javier Milei is initiating a transition period with current President Alberto Fernández, proposing radical economic changes for the country. Milei aims to dollarize the economy, reduce public spending, privatize national companies, abolish the central bank, and implement other drastic measures. While some view this as necessary "shock therapy" to address economic issues, critics argue it could lead to disaster and exacerbate inequalities. Over 100 left-leaning economists express concerns about oversights in Milei's proposals. The fragmented Congress adds uncertainty to the implementation of his social agenda, including potential rollbacks on abortion legalization and LGBTQ+ rights. Milei's victory has influenced the discourse on women's rights in Argentina. While his cabinet appointments remain undisclosed, economist Diana Mondino is set to head the foreign ministry, emphasizing a goal to reduce import and export regulations. Milei's discussions with former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro indicate enthusiasm from the global far right over his victory, predicting Buenos Aires as a new hub for the populist radical right.

Social Europe: In a surprising turn of events, Albania, once staunchly against hosting European Union refugee camps, has now signed an agreement with Italy to become the first non-EU country to process asylum-seekers on behalf of an EU member state. In 2018, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama vehemently opposed the idea of hosting EU refugee camps, likening it to dumping "desperate people like toxic waste." Fast forward to 2023, and Rama has signed an agreement with Italy to establish facilities on the Albanian coast for up to 36,000 rescued individuals from the Mediterranean. Two facilities are planned in Albania - a reception and screening center in Shengjin and a detention center in Gjader. Critics argue that the plan may circumvent the EU Dublin regulation and raise concerns about family separation, potentially breaching international law. The situation also underscores the complex dynamics between EU member states and candidate countries, revealing the region's underlying tensions and power imbalances.
 
What is your favorite part of the update? Do you have any opinions about the recent developments? 
 
Thanks for reading. You can support and reward me via: 
Pay Pal — lauvlad89@gmail.com
Algo — NCG6LBALQHENQUSR77KOR6SS42FGK54BZ5L2HFDSBGQVLGYIOVWYDXFDI4
ADA — addr1q9vfs6nqz4xmtnpljwhv4tukyskd2g7enxd87rpugkwwvfun5pnla5d5tes2mvurrc77e7837yd0scrfk063qlha8wgs8d4ynz
Bitcoin 3HbxyDXE9MhNQ8RqsirqgYvFupQzh5Xby2
ETH — 0x8982cdb97bd23f092f78a16a4fc93c5c4607a285
Seeds — vladlausevic
Skycoin — ZxjhWMJRbTNCRQzy5MekZzH4fhdWFCqBP8
Tezos — tz1QrRzkTAKuPKF8dmGW6c1ScEHBUGvoiJBM