On 5 July, Japan held its due gubernatorial elections, and while the globally raging COVID-19 pandemic still has not subsided in the island country, attention was spared to the fight for the capital city. The incumbent governor, Koike Yuriko (68), had a number of challengers, but there were three of them who could be regarded as having any chance. Analysing the political background, the campaign promises, and the history of these candidates can provide a colourful account of contemporary Japanese politics on a local level. And while Governor Koike was successful in preserving her seat, her rivals will remain part of political discourse—more so than ever considering the fast approaching end of the Abe-leadership.

In May 2018 the European Commission presented its draft proposal for the next 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) which provided the framework on which negotiations between all EU actors (Commission, Parliament and Council) have been based. Major adjustments were expected since the United Kingdom—which contributed to the EU’s budget by roughly EUR 12 billion per year—ceased to be part of the EU and will stop contributing its share of the EU’s outstanding commitments and liabilities from 1 January 2021.

As the COVID-19 epidemic turned into a major global challenge it became not only a test for the European Union itself, but also for its relations with China. The subsequent economic crisis could easily become the worst economic downturn for EU member states since the end of World War II, while China could also be affected in a way unseen for decades.

National Perspectives

The European Union struggles to fight the recent period of different types of crises (polycrisis), as described by several books, papers and arguments in the scientific literature. The primary reasons of the European economic crisis are the global financial crisis of 2008, the Greek sovereign debt crisis, the prolonged reform process of the bank union and the lack of fiscal policy integration.

The COVID-19 epidemic and the concurrent crisis has hit at the time when various debates concerning China, tensions between the United States and the East Asian power as well as the need to formulate a coherent strategy towards the country across Europe have been emerging.

The year 2020 turned out to be nothing like anyone could have ever imagined. The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic at the end of 2019 followed by its fast evolution into a global pandemic the next year took most of the countries by surprise. Levels of preparedness in both medical equipment and in government policies vary by countries.

It has become somewhat of an axiom in US political discourse that the Republican Party has a young people problem. With young generations seemingly much more liberal and left-leaning than their predecessors, American conservativism and the party that has acted as its standard-bearer are faced with a historical challenge and dilemma.