UBS WMA is running a series of events and releasing research reports for its Revitalizing America initiative, as part of which it is hosting exclusive client events with high-profile speakers. The latest event in Chicago featured President Bill Clinton and President George W Bush.

The latest report in the series says that as the US, France, India, Iran, Korea, Russia and Taiwan go to the polls this year, and with a planned leadership transition in China, some 50 per cent of global GDP could be affected by leadership changes in 2012.

The key issues influencing policies, which are shared across countries, are likely to be the health of the domestic economy and tackling public debt, as well as the evolving role of government in economic matters and “shifting tides of social unrest,” says UBS’ report.

In France and the US in particular, improving competitiveness and stimulating job growth are high on the “issues list” for the forthcoming elections, says the report.