Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded; will it shape events?
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will award the Nobel Peace Prize today.
Pope Francis and Angela Merkel top the bookies’ lists to take the coveted award. Both have received praise for their stances on migration; Francis has urged governments to integrate refugees, while Chancellor Merkel welcomed a million into Germany in 2015.
Other choices could include Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, in recognition of their leadership during the Iran nuclear deal. Yet, the committee could easily opt for a surprise pick—Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos came from nowhere to take out last year’s award.
Indeed, the committee has shown itself willing to shape real-world events; it awarded Mr Santos the prize just five days after FARC peacemaking efforts were jeopardised by a referendum defeat. It could aim for a similar effect this year.
A win for the Iran deal architects could push back against President Donald Trump’s potentially scrapping the pact when he reviews it next week.
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