Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Each year, there's a fierce debate among the economists' staff, as our editors and correspondents

nominate a country of the year. We take a look at a few contenders from the shortlist and

unveil the winner for 2020.

First up, though.

Today, Britain's Parliament will vote on a post-Brexit trade deal,

one announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week.

Tonight, on Christmas Eve, I have a small present for anyone who may be looking for something to read

in that sleepy post-Christmas lunch moment.

That small present was the 1,255-page agreement that represents the end of long and tortuous negotiations.

This is a deal, a deal to give certainty to business travelers and all investors in our country from the 1st of January, a deal with our friends and partners in the EU.

At several points, as the clock ticked down to that new year deadline, an agreement had appeared unlikely.

So it was a relief to both sides, though European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

struck a slightly less joyful note.

I know this is a difficult day for some,

and to our friends in the United Kingdom,

I want to say,

parting is such sweet sorrow.

But the parting is only partly done.

Nearly five years since the referendum, this framework deal leaves lots of issues unresolved,

...