Weekly Sanctions Update: July 20, 2026 - Money Laundering - Worldwide

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to remain in his position following damaging exit poll losses for his centre-right CDU party in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. • The losses are described as a disaster in the polls for the party.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suffered a heavy political setback following two state elections on Sunday, including a record defeat for his party. • The 70-year-old leader took office 16 months ago with promises to reignite an economy that has been stalled for years.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced a major electoral setback after his center-right party lost ground in two state elections. • The far-right Alternative for Germany party made significant gains, including a shock result in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

• Switzerland recently adopted a new national security strategy to increase its resilience and ability to defend itself against armed attacks. • The strategy marks a shift for the famously neutral nation as it prepares for the possibility of a wider conflict beyond Ukraine.

• The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a state election in northeastern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. • The AfD secured more than 37% of the vote in the state.

• LVMH shares fell to their lowest levels since 2020 as luxury demand softened and questions about company succession emerged. • The stock price decline reflects a broader downturn in consumer spending across the high-end luxury market.

• Justice Kim Seong-su pledged to uphold judicial independence and implement trial reforms to address systemic delays. • The reform plan focuses on ensuring procedural rights and managing emerging legal disputes related to artificial intelligence and climate change.

• Russian forces launched overnight drone strikes targeting Ukrainian ports, warehouses, and logistics centers used by the Ukrainian armed forces. • The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the attacks specifically hit port infrastructure facilities and vessels supporting military operations.

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to remain in his position following damaging exit poll losses for his centre-right CDU party in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. • The results are described as a disaster for the party in these specific state elections.

• Germany is holding elections this Sunday that could determine whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz remains in power. • Merz is facing intense political pressure after only 16 months in office due to his party's tumbling popularity.

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party suffered electoral losses in two state elections on Sunday. • Exit polls from public broadcaster ARD showed the CDU securing only 5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the party's lowest state result since World War II.

• Swedish money market participants raised their one-year inflation expectations to 1.97% in August from a previous 1.83%. • Two-year inflation expectations also increased during this period, rising from 2.02% to 2.07%.