COGNICURRENT

Park Hong-geun, the candidate for Minister of Planning and Budget, has withdrawn from the Seoul mayoral race to prioritize national responsibilities as he begins his ministerial role.

Senior Secretary Hong Ik-pyo commented that the appointment of Park Hong-geun as Minister of the Planning and Budget will not significantly impact the dynamics of the Seoul mayoral race.

In Frankfurt, the minority coalition of Greens, SPD, and Volt is collaborating with the Left Party, rather than the CDU, to pass the budget for 2026.

Frankfurt's cultural committee reaches a rare consensus ahead of local elections, aiming to finalize a budget amidst numerous expensive projects and construction sites.

Catalonia's President Salvador Illa is increasing pressure on ERC leader Oriol Junqueras regarding the approval of the regional budget, even hinting at the possibility of early elections.

Slovakia may meet European budgetary rules even with a deficit of 6% in an election year, raising concerns over fiscal responsibility under new rules.

The chairman of the Fiscal Policy Council, Lars Heikensten, delivers a harsh critique of the Swedish government's election budget, stating that it reflects a serious disregard for future economic stability.

Labor claims the federal budget would be $14bn worse if the Coalition had won the 2025 election, with deficits leading to increased debt and interest payments.

INEC has proposed a budget of N873.78 billion for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, focusing on election operations, technology, and capital expenditure.

Prime Minister Takaichi, having stabilized her administration after a decisive victory in the House of Representatives election, is now faced with the task of navigating key policy issues including the initial budget for the new fiscal year and diplomatic relations with the US and China.

The Congress allocated 10% less for education amendments in 2026 while increasing social assistance expenses by 57%, covering services from meal delivery to support for drug and alcohol abuse units.

The Japanese government is coordinating to convene a special session of the National Assembly on the 18th to designate a Prime Minister following the House of Representatives election, and aims to start budget discussions without adjourning.

On the second day of the budget session, Parliament was heated as Rahul Gandhi's aggressive politics intensified in the Lok Sabha and Mamata Banerjee took a strong stand against the Election Commission, further raising the political temperature, while the Modi government faced pressure amid this opposition dynamism.

The article discusses the four main focal points of constitutional revision in Greece, highlighting the budget, non-state universities, the criminal accountability of ministers, and the election of judicial leadership.

During the fourth day of the current parliamentary budget session, Sanjay Raut criticized the government and the Election Commission in the Rajya Sabha, alleging corruption and incompetence.

Borjana Krišto, the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, stated that the functioning of state institutions and the maintenance of elections in the fall are threatened, as salary increases are not possible due to the refusal of the Federation of BiH Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić to vote for the financial documents essential for the budget.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced populist measures in a New Year address, including budget grants for the socially vulnerable and increased deportations of foreigners, amid declining popularity and poor election forecasts.

Jorge Azcón, the president of Aragón and PP candidate for re-election, stated he would only accept Vox's support if it comes with a closed agreement on the regional budget.