Election

Cox: Who’s afraid of a President Bernie Sanders?

3 Feb 2020

The Vermont politician is set to win big in Iowa and may lead the Democratic fight against Donald Trump. His bark scares business types. But his actions are more nuanced, as a 1980s flashback to his time as mayor highlights. And, anyway, the Senate would curb his enthusiasm.

Billionaires’ cash wins over critics in U.S. race

22 Jan 2020

Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer boosted their presidential poll ratings after doling out a total of $380 mln for political ads. That’s more than twice the outlay of all other contenders combined. But Bernie Sanders’ small-donor approach may well prove more potent in the end.

Italy’s honeymoon with EU is under threat

22 Jan 2020

Luigi Di Maio looks set to step down as head of the 5-Star Movement, the largest party in the ruling coalition. That will strain the alliance. If a crucial regional election on Sunday produces a victory for eurosceptic Matteo Salvini, it may imperil the fragile pro-EU government.

Taiwan’s revival is Tsai’s to squander

13 Jan 2020

The independence-leaning president has coasted into a second term on anti-Beijing sentiment and a strong $580 bln economy. Tsai Ing-wen can take credit for neither. After wasting an earlier opportunity, she now has another to fix poor infrastructure that threatens growth.

American election to test Wall Street’s nerves

30 Dec 2019

Whoever wins the White House in November matters more to masters of finance than 2016’s cliff-hanger if it boils down to a choice between Trump’s trade war and an assault on wealth. Breakingviews imagines a conversation among bankers at Park Avenue’s Racquet and Tennis Club.

It’s the suburbs, not the economy, stupid

24 Dec 2019

Most Americans like President Trump’s handling of the economy, which would normally bode well for re-election in November. But his overall approval rating is just 46%. That’ll shift the fight to healthcare and other issues, while handing moderate suburbanites a deciding voice.

Review: Bloomberg primer goes beyond hagiography

20 Dec 2019

A recent bio of the former New York mayor and Wall Street information tycoon was given relevancy by his unconventional bid to replace Donald Trump. It’s a book that might have just sat on the shelf gathering dust but for the fact he might have a shot at the presidency.

Viewsroom: Jack Dorsey’s heroic year ahead

19 Dec 2019

From banning political ads to developing cryptocurrency plans, the CEO of Twitter and Square has been politically more astute than rivals like Facebook. That sets him up for a good 2020. Also: the different ways that shareholders, the Fed and M&A bankers will tackle climate risk.

Corbyn loss offers economic pointers for Democrats

13 Dec 2019

Victorious Prime Minister Boris Johnson was an eminently beatable candidate, approval ratings showed. But the Labour leader’s radically socialist alternative proved a bigger turn-off. Despite local differences, there are lessons for those hoping to challenge Donald Trump.

UK stock discount will outlast Boris Johnson win

13 Dec 2019

The FTSE 250 Index of more domestic mid-cap companies jumped 4% after the prime minister’s election victory. That only partly narrows a valuation gap with U.S. and European stocks. Uncertainty about a post-Brexit trade deal and Scottish independence justify a continued haircut.

Johnson’s big win unlocks Brexit black box

12 Dec 2019

The UK’s Conservative Party has won a large parliamentary majority. That means Britain leaves the European Union, and gives the prime minister room to compromise on a quick trade deal. Stocks and the pound have bounced. Johnson’s broader policy ambitions remain a mystery.

Breakdown: What happens after the Brexit election?

12 Dec 2019

Voters in the United Kingdom face their third big electoral decision in less than four years. The result has major implications for companies, financial markets, fiscal policy, relations with Europe and the future of the union. Breakingviews tots up the possible consequences.

Viewsroom: Angela Merkel faces early retirement

5 Dec 2019

The German chancellor’s administration is in peril after coalition partner SPD chose left-wingers to lead the party. A snap 2020 election would probably end her 14 years in power and remove another of the world’s centrist governments. Plus: Australia’s colossal bank scandal.

Viewsroom: Britain’s Brexit election

28 Nov 2019

The country’s two main political parties are slugging it out over spending pledges before the Dec. 12 vote. But the campaign is also about how soon the UK will leave the European Union and the terms on which it will trade with its nearest neighbours.

Who buys Bloomberg, the company, if the man wins?

27 Nov 2019

The $60 bln financial data firm’s founder Mike Bloomberg is running for president as a billionaire antidote to Donald Trump. Selling out would cleanly remove a giant conflict of interest. An LBO or purchase by Microsoft, IBM or an exchange like CME are a few potential options.

Hong Kong voters offer glimmer for recovery

25 Nov 2019

Record 71% turnout in local elections handed pro-democracy groups a big victory. It puts pressure on Chief Executive Carrie Lam to make some concessions. Even after six months of bumbling, she has a chance to take steps that could help keep the calm and reverse an economic slump.

Brexit election is answer to the wrong question

30 Oct 2019

The December poll is a flawed second referendum on Britain leaving the European Union. Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs a majority to push through his deal; other parties have to set aside rivalries to stop him. As in 2017, divided voters could deliver an inconclusive result.

Viewsroom: WeWork’s future may lie in China’s past

24 Oct 2019

Beijing-based Kr Space switched from renting out space held on long-term leases to selling services after the shared-office market crashed. Following suit may help WeWork stem losses. Also: climate change and Canada’s election. Plus: the gloomy IMF and unrest in Latin America.

Canada’s election could bring climate-change chill

18 Oct 2019

Even if Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party loses to Conservatives next week, his national carbon tax looks safe. Yet the rate is too low, and unlikely to get tougher. Having a big, pollution-happy neighbor doesn’t help. Canada’s green wave may be reaching its political limits.

Zuckerberg grasps big problem with tech breakups

1 Oct 2019

The Facebook boss expects the U.S. to try and dissect the social network if Democratic detractors win office. His argument: Making tech firms smaller would be counterproductive in preventing election interference. He’s right on both counts. That could be Facebook’s best defense.