The ruling party won about half of the seats in the October 2018 municipal elections, but the political landscape is becoming more complex and uncertain, with the competition among the three traditional parties intensifying ahead of the 2020 presidential elections. The economic outlook remains strong, underpinned by robust consumption and investment, but risks are tilted downside. Growth is projected to stay around 71⁄2 percent in 2018–19. Inflation is expected to remain subdued.