Political Risk

President Putin has pledged to tackle Russia's failing security and defence services in the aftermath of the horrific school hostage-taking in Beslan.

Dismal results in the European Parliament elections for the parties of the ruling coalition gave opposition parties cause to question the future of a government that began to fracture... 2004-09-06

Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko continues to lead the incumbent administration's candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, in the opinion polls. BMI View: Nevertheless, it... 2004-09-03

While a victory for Yushchenko would undoubtedly shift the balance of policy in favour of democratic and economic reform and closer ties with the West, he may not be as free to introduce... 2004-09-03

The first months of Putin’s second term have been dominated by the increasingly damaging assault on the country’s leading oil producer. BMI View: In addition... 2004-08-19

The results of elections for the European parliament, won comprehensively by a populist, centre-left Labour Party, attest to the struggle facing the ruling coalition ahead of the... 2004-08-10

Valdas Adamkus has won the race to become Lithuania’s new president, replacing the impeached Rolandas Paksas. Adamkus, who has held the post before, beat Kazimiera Prunskiene... 2004-07-06

In a surprise move, parliament has failed to back incumbent President Leonid Kuchma's controversial proposal to weaken the role of the presidency. BMI View: This is a key boost for... 2004-05-11

Latvian-Russian relations have deteriorated on the basis of legislation, endorsed by the Latvian parliament, which aims to reduce the extent to which teaching is conducted in Russian... 2004-05-10

The Central Electoral Commission has confirmed the names of seven candidates for the presidential election in June, including the impeached former president, Rolandas Paksas. BMI... 2004-05-10