**Summary:** Milan Knežević, leader and deputy of the Democratic People's Party (DNP), called on citizens of Kula, Montenegro origin, to support Aleksandar Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) list in the upcoming local elections in Serbia on March 29th. Knežević stated that his goal is for Serbia to become the strongest country in the Balkans.

**Key points:**
- Knežević addressed people from various Montenegrin regions living in Kula via a video message on Facebook.
- He referenced attending an event in the Arena on March 21st where he saw many of those he was addressing.
- The local elections are scheduled for Sunday, March 29th, in Kula and nine other Serbian municipalities.
- Kula is a Vojvodina municipality where approximately 7,000 families from Montenegro were settled after World War II.
- The Stranka slobode i pravde (SSP) accused Marko Popadić, acting director of Belgrade's 'Gradska čistoća' and SNS board president for Zvezdara, of donating vehicles from the company to municipalities with upcoming elections.

**Why it matters:** The involvement of a Montenegrin political leader in Serbian local election campaigning highlights cross-border political influence and mobilization efforts targeting specific ethnic/diaspora communities.

Knežević u Vučićevoj kampanji: „Želimo da naša Srbija bude najsnažnija država na Balkanu“ - Radio-Televizija Nikšić - Knežević u Vučićevoj kampanji: „Želimo da naša Srbija bude najsnažnija država na Balkanu“

Knežević u Vučićevoj kampanji: "Želimo da naša Srbija bude najsnažnija država na Balkanu" - Knežević u Vučićevoj kampanji: \"Želimo da naša Srbija bude najsnažnija država na Balkanu\"

SSP: Direktor beogradske Čistoće deli vozila tog preduzeća opštinama kojima slede izbori - SSP: Direktor beogradske Čistoće deli vozila tog preduzeća opštinama kojima slede izbori

Knežević Urges Montenegrins in Kula to Support Vučić's SNS in Serbian Elections

**Summary:** Chile's Central Bank (BC) adjusted its March Monetary Policy Report (IPoM), raising the year-end inflation projection to 4% and lowering the GDP growth forecast to a range of 1.5%-2.5%. These revisions reflect the impact of rising international fuel prices, linked to the Middle East conflict.

**Key points:**
- Inflation projection for December was increased from 3.2% (December forecast) to 4%, with a return to the 3% target expected by the second quarter of 2027.
- The lower GDP growth forecast for 2026 is attributed to the changed international scenario and weaker mining performance.
- The BC maintained the monetary policy interest rate at 4.5%.
- The revised estimates incorporate local gasoline and diesel price hikes announced on March 23rd.
- The Central Bank Council will closely monitor signals of greater transmission or persistence of inflation.

**Why it matters:** These adjustments signal a more challenging short-term economic outlook for Chile, driven by external shocks impacting domestic prices, which the Central Bank is monitoring closely while holding the key interest rate steady.

df.cl - Banco Central se hace eco de alzas de combustibles: sube pronóstico de inflación a 4% y baja PIB a rango de 1,5%-2%

latercera.com - Banco Central baja crecimiento, sube inflación y alerta por los efectos del alza del petróleo

Chile's Central Bank raises inflation forecast to 4%, lowers GDP outlook

**Summary:** Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Budapest will gradually stop gas supplies to Ukraine until the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline is restored. Orban stated this measure is necessary to break the alleged oil blockade and guarantee Hungary's energy security.

**Key points:**
- Orban claimed Ukraine has been blocking the Druzhba oil pipeline for 30 days.
- Gas volumes that remain will be directed to domestic Hungarian storage facilities.
- Orban linked this decision to an alleged Ukrainian attack on the TurkStream pipeline infrastructure.
- Previously, Orban stated Hungary would not support any EU decision favoring Ukraine, including a 90 billion euro loan, until oil transit resumes.
- In 2025, Ukraine imported over 2.9 billion cubic meters of gas (45% of total import) and 42% of its electricity from Hungary.

**Why it matters:** This action escalates energy tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, directly impacting Ukraine's energy supply and potentially complicating EU financial support for Kyiv.

​Kryzys wokół rurociągu Przyjaźń. Węgry wstrzymują dostawy na Ukrainę

Орбан: Угорщина припиняє постачання газу до України, допоки не відновиться транзит нафти \"Дружбою\"

Viktor Orban annonce que la Hongrie va arrêter \"progressivement les livraisons de gaz\" à l'Ukraine

Hungary halts gas supplies to Ukraine over oil transit dispute

**Summary:** UK inflation remained steady at 3% in February, the last reading before the conflict in Iran caused petrol costs to soar, threatening future household finances. Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged significant economic challenges stemming from the Middle East conflict.

**Key points:**
- Services inflation cooled slightly to 4.3%, the lowest level since March 2022.
- The primary upward driver for February inflation was the price of clothing.
- Oil prices rose from around $70 to just shy of $100 following the Iran war.
- Financial markets are pricing in up to four interest rate increases by the Bank of England before the end of 2026.
- The UK is leading efforts with partners to formulate a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

**Why it matters:** The February inflation data captures the economy just before the conflict's impact, which is now expected to push inflation higher, potentially leading the Bank of England to raise interest rates further.

CNBC - UK inflation unchanged at 3% in February — the last print before the Iran war

The Independent - Inflation stays at 3% but Iran war set to send prices spiralling

Financial Post - UK Inflation Stayed at 3% in Weeks Leading Up to Iran War

Daily Mail Online - Inflation stuck at 3% last month even BEFORE the Iran war began - as economists warn energy costs spikes could cause global recession with '1970s style Stagflation'

UK Inflation Held at 3% in February Before Iran War Shock

The Independent - UK politics latest: Inflation remains at 3% as Rachel Reeves warns of ‘significant’ challenges over Iran war

**Summary:** The Central Bank (BC) unanimously decided to maintain the Monetary Policy Rate at 4.5%, citing a significant external shock from the war in the Middle East, which has increased global uncertainty and driven up fuel prices. The BC now projects inflation will return to its target range only during 2027.

**Key points:**
- The BC noted the war in the Middle East caused a significant shock due to the magnitude and speed of global fuel price increases.
- Inflation is expected to reach around 4% annually in the second quarter due to local price transmission from fuel hikes.
- The future evolution of the policy rate will be evaluated meeting by meeting.
- The BC reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a 3% inflation target within a two-year horizon, assuming current external shocks do not significantly persist.
- Global financial conditions have tightened, marked by rising interest rates, falling stock markets, and currency depreciations against the dollar.

**Why it matters:** The Central Bank's decision reflects significant concern over geopolitical instability impacting domestic inflation via oil prices, leading to a prolonged period before inflation returns to the official target.

Banco Central mantiene tasa en 4,5% y posterga para 2027 la vuelta a la meta tras pasar por el 4% este año - Diario Financiero

BC alerta por shock “significativo” de guerra en Irán, ve salto en inflación por bencinas y regreso a la meta recién en 2027 - La Tercera

BC maintains 4.5% rate due to Iran war shock, delays inflation target return to 2027

**Summary:** Venezuela announced that a diplomatic delegation will travel to Washington this week to begin a new stage of dialogue with the US, following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro in January. In response, the US Administration of Donald Trump relaxed some sanctions to facilitate the reopening of the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington.

**Key points:**
- The delegation's trip aims to ratify Venezuela's disposition for dialogue, according to acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
- The US Treasury Department issued a license authorizing Venezuelan missions to pay for goods/services for official use or diplomats' personal use.
- Banks are authorized to operate accounts or grant credits for Venezuelan government missions.
- The purchase or sale of real estate by the missions remains prohibited.
- Diplomatic relations between the two countries, broken since 2019, were formally reestablished earlier in March.
- The US diplomat Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas in late January for a gradual reopening of the US embassy.

**Why it matters:** This marks a significant step toward the normalization of relations between Venezuela and the US after years of rupture, contingent on concessions from the Venezuelan government to Donald Trump.

almomento.net - Venezuela envía delegación a EEUU para formalizar relaciones

elcomercio.pe - Trump relaja sanciones para facilitar la reapertura de la embajada de Venezuela en EE.UU.

Venezuela sends delegation to US to formalize relations; US relaxes sanctions

**Summary:** The Social Democrats led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen won the most votes in the Danish parliamentary election, according to exit polls, but suffered significant losses, potentially heading for their worst result since 1901. Neither the left-wing nor the right-wing bloc secured the absolute majority needed in the 179-seat parliament.

**Key points:**
- The left-wing bloc is projected to gain between 83 and 86 seats, short of the 90 required for a majority.
- The right/far-right bloc is projected to secure between 75 and 78 seats.
- The Moderates (centre party) could become the 'kingmaker' with a projected 8.2% of the vote (14 seats).
- The outcome in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which each elect two representatives, could be decisive.
- Key campaign issues included the cost of living, the welfare state, the environment, and immigration policy.

**Why it matters:** The unclear majority means it is uncertain if Prime Minister Frederiksen can secure a third term, as forming a government will require support from centrist parties like the Moderates.

Dänische Sozialdemokraten trotz Verlusten wohl stärkste Kraft - tagesschau.de

Les sociaux-démocrates de Mette Frederiksen en tête mais en forte baisse au Danemark - La Libre

Danish Social Democrats Lead Election But Suffer Major Losses

**Summary:** The Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) of Brazil authorized former President Jair Bolsonaro to serve his 27-year sentence under house arrest for humanitarian reasons following his hospitalization for bacterial pneumonia. Judge Alexandre de Moraes granted the temporary measure for an initial period of 90 days, contingent upon his medical discharge.

**Key points:**
- Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison for five crimes against democracy, including an attempted coup d'état.
- The decision followed a favorable opinion from the Attorney General, Paulo Gonet, citing the need for constant medical monitoring.
- Previous requests for house arrest by Bolsonaro's lawyers had been systematically denied by the STF.
- The 71-year-old has suffered from health issues stemming from a 2018 stabbing attack, which recently led to his hospitalization.
- The ruling occurs amid high political tension with the 2026 electoral cycle opening in Brazil.

**Why it matters:** This decision marks a notable shift in the judicial handling of Bolsonaro's case, granting him a temporary reprieve from prison due to health concerns while his political allies pursue an amnesty law.

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