While the holiday spirit will dominate the media agenda, there are notable developments around the world, as the three defining themes of 2024 – elections, war and inflation – continue to hum in the background.
On Tuesday, Moldova's president-elect Maia Sandu will attend her inauguration. His narrow election victory in October, despite allegations of Russian interference in the process, will put the former Soviet Union on the path to EU membership.
Georgia, on the other hand, will on Sunday swear in Mikheil Kavelashvili to the presidency, the firebrand of Russia and Croatia will hold the first presidential vote on Sunday.
On Monday, Mozambique's supreme court will rule on the country's disputed October election, while Albanian opposition groups blocked roads demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama resign.
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will make a speech on Christmas Day. Economists will be scrutinizing his remarks for clues as to how president-elect Donald Trump's policies will affect the pace and path of monetary policy.
GDP figures for the third quarter will come out on Monday, after months of disappointing economic releases from chancellor Rachel Reeves.
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