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News Friday 3rd September 2010
Sweden - General elections - 19th September
The Riksdag (Parliament) that includes 349 members elected every four years by proportional representation will be renewed on 19th September next.. 310 seats are distributed amongst 29 constituencies, the other 39, called compensatory constituencies, are attributed to the various parties in order to ensure them the best possible representation. To take part in the distribution of seats a party must have won 4% of the votes cast nationally or 12% within a given constituency.7 political parties are represented in the Riksdag at present: 4 of the governmental coalition (Moderate (M), Centre (C), Liberals (FpL, Christian Democrats (KD)) et 3 for teh opposition (Social Democrats (SAP), Left (Vp) and Greens (MP)). The possible entry by the far right (Sweden Democrats) in the Riksdag is one of the vital issues in the electoral campaign. The last poll published on 20th August last credits the Alliance with 47.9% of the vote in comparison with 46.3% for the opposition (the Social Democratic Party is still Sweden's leading party with 32.7% ) and 4% for the far right. The difference between left and right is therefore very narrow.
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Interview with Anne-Marie Idrac, French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade
The Robert Schuman Foundation has published a European Interview with Anne-Marie Idrac, French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and Member of the Foundation's governing board.
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Slovenia- Bled Strategic Forum - 29th & 30th August
The Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani, will participate to the Bled Strategic Forum "Global Outlook for the next Decade". He will speak amongst many others prominent persons on the topic 'The EU in a multipolar world".
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In support of budgetary federalism in the euro area
The Robert Schuman Foundation has published a European Issue by Franck Lirzin entitled "In support of budgetary federalism in the euro area".
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Turkey - Referendum on the Constitution - 12th September
All politicians – those from the majority like those from the opposition - agree to say that the Fundamental Law of 1982 does not meet international democratic standards. The need to modify the text is therefore not a subject of debate. The constitutional reform that is being submitted to the Turks on 12th September next stipulates that soldiers must be tried by civilian courts and those accused of crimes against the State, including officers, should be prosecuted by civilian courts. It also includes a rule whereby officers dismissed from the army for having entertained links with radical Islamic groups may launch an appeal. The text would enable the trial of the leaders of the coup d'Etat of 12th September 1980. The number of the members of the Constitutional Court of Justice would rise from 11 to 17 including 3 appointed by Parliament. The Magistrates' Surveillance Council would rise from 7 to 22 members including 4 appointed by the President of the Republic. The text submitted to referendum withdraws the monopoly held by the legal institution to decide over the dissolution of political parties.
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Europe Live

Interim Government
Belgium
Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt succeeded in reaching agreement on 19th December to form an interim government until 23rd March next... Growth
Eurostat
The euro area and EU GDP witnessed growth of 1% in the 2nd quarter of 2010 according to estimates by Eurostat published on 13th August. This is a... Governance
Eurobarometer
A Eurobarometer survey undertaken in May and published on 26th August reveals that most Europeans support greater economic governance across the... Growth
Germany
The German economy showed record growth in the second quarter. According to the federal statistics office Destatis - it recorded a quarterly growth... UK
Denmark
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen travelled to London on 12th August to meet his British counterpart David Cameron. They called for a... UK
Studies/Reports
The Irish Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) has published an analysis of the UK's European policy entitled "Coalition in... Agreement/EU
Switzerland
Switzerland and the EU came to a mutual acknowledgement agreement on AOC's (Appellations d'origine contrôlée) and IGP's (Indications géographiques... Treaty ratified
Italia
Italian deputies have voted at the unanimity on july, 31th the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, just one week after the positive vote from the... Bluefin Tuna
Commission
EU scientists have succeeded as part of the third year of work of the SELFDOTT project, research funded by the European Union, to the tune of 2.98... Unemployment
France
According to the latest figures published on 25th August by the Labour, Solidarity and Civil Service Ministry the number of those looking for work... Elections/Sweden
Foundation
On 19th September next 7 million Swedes will be called to renew all of their national (Riksdag) and local (town councillors and county councils)... Latvia
IMF
The IMF estimated on 12th August that many obstacles remained before Latvia could adopt the euro. The country experienced its worst ever recession in... Deficit
Greece
The Greek Finance Minister announced on 10th August that Greece had reduced its budgetary deficit by 39.7% between January and July 2010 which is... Programme
Slovakia
The new centre-right government in Slovakia that resulted after the elections on 12th June 2010 presented its working programme for 2010-2014. This... Italy
Financial Crisis
The Italian Chamber of Deputies finally adopted the austerity plan of 25 billion euros on 29th July - it had already been approved on 15th July by... Iran
Council
European Foreign Ministers decided on 26th July to step up sanctions against Iran whose nuclear programme represents “a serious cause for... Brussels
Constitutional Court
The Constitutional Court in Brussels delivered a decision on 29th July that suspends the Flemish decision imposing Dutch speaking inspectors on... Carbon Tax
Eurobarometer
An survey undertaken by Eurobarometer and published on 29th July shows that Europeans do not support the idea of a special tax on products that are... Croatia
Slovenia
Croatian President Ivo Josipovic travelled to Slovenia on 13th August where he met his Slovenian counterpart Danilo Turk. The two leaders observed an... ECB
Financial Crisis
On 5th August the ECB's Governing Council decided that key interest rates, main refinancing operations as well as those involving the marginal loan... External Trade
Eurostat
According to initial Eurostat estimates for June 2010 published on 13th August the euro area recorded a external trade surplus of 2.4 billion euros... Diplomacy
France
French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave a speech on 25th August as part of the 18th Conference of Ambassadors in which he set out the priorities for... UK
Retirement
On 29th July the British government announced a project to abolish the automatic age of retirement of 65 within one year's time. This project aims to... Justice
Commission
On 24th August the Commission issued an opinion on a proposal made on 21st May by seven Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Estonia,... Mostra/ Venice
Culture
The 67th edition of the Mostra of Venice will take place from 1st to 11th September at the Lido in Venice. More than 80 films will be presented this... Greece
Financial Crisis
On 5th August Greece successfully passed the first control of its accounts by the EU and the IMF three months after starting application of an... Sustainable Growth
UN
Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General, announced on 9th August the creation of a high level committee on sustainable growth that will be placed under... Diplomacy
Council
The 27 European Foreign Ministers launched the Union's new diplomatic service on 26th July - this should enable the EU to speak with one voice in the... Poland
Lithuania
The Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite met the new Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski on 20th August. "We hope together with President... Balkans
Germany
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle set off on a tour of the Balkans starting with Croatia on 25th August where he met President Ivo... Pensions
UK
The British government announced on 29th July its project to abolish the official age of retirement (65) within the next year. The project aims to... Georgia
Council
European Foreign Ministers decided on 26th July to extend the surveillance mission in Georgia (EUMM) by one year until September 2011. The EUMM... France
Growth
In a report published on 30th July the IMF announced its growth forecasts for France: it is reckoning on growth of 1.6% in 2011 and 1.8% in 2012. It... Roms
Council of Europe
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu expressed his concern on 20th August with... Confidence?
Italy
Silvio Berlusconi, the President of the Italian Council announced on 20th August that he would be seeking a confidence vote on the part of parliament... Budget
Finland
The Finnish government announced on 19th August that it has raised its growth forecasts for 2010 and 2011. It now expects a GDP rise of around 2%... Inflation
Eurostat
The annual inflation rate in the euro area rose to 1.7% in July 2010. It increased by 0.3% in comparison with the month of June according to figures... Near East
Council
The Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the Security Policy, Catherine Ashton declared on 20th August that the Union was encouraging... Digital
Commission
The reflection group on digitisation set up by the Commission in April 2010 as part of a strategy that aims to help the transition of the cultural... Andorra
France
President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy undertook a visit to Andorra on 28th July of which the French heads of state have been joint... Investiture
Poland
Bronislaw Komorowski took office as President of the Republic of Poland on 6th August after being sworn in before the two chambers of the Polish... France
Nuclear
After a meeting at the Elysée on 27th July with the Nuclear Policy Council which aimed to look into the report written by former EDF chair,... Appointment
NATO
The Chief of Staff of the French Army, Stéphane Abrial was appointed "Supreme Allied Commander for the Transformation" of NATO on 29th July. This... External Service
Council
On 26th July European Foreign Ministers launched Union’s new diplomatic service which should enable it to speak with one voice on the international... Kosovo
Council
French General Xavier Bout de Marnhac was appointed on 27th July as head of the Rule of Law mission undertaken by the EU in Kosovo, EULEX KOSOVO. He... Iran
Council
The 27 European Foreign Ministers decided on 26th July to step up sanctions against Iran whose nuclear programme represents a "deep cause of concern"... Constitutional Court
Belgium
The Constitutional Court of Belgium delivered a decision on 29th July which suspends the Flemish decree obliging French speaking primary schools in... Commission
Loans
The European Commission paid the second part of its loan to Latvia to a total of 1.2 billion euros on 27th July together with the first payment of... UK
Turkey
Visiting Turkey on 27th July British Prime Minister David Cameron said that he would fight for Turkey to be able to join the European Union. He... Government
Belgium
Whilst Belgium is still trying to form a new government after the general elections on 13th June last and whilst it has been ensuring the rotating... Exhibition/Giverny
Culture
The Impressionism Museum in Givery is putting on an exhibition until 31st October entitled "Maximilien Luce, neo-Impressionist, Retrospective."... Biennale/Venice
Culture
The 12th Architecture Biennale of Venice opened its doors to the public on 29th August proposing up to 21st November a series of national pavilions... Referendum/Turkey
Foundation
Turkey's present Constitution dates back to 1982 and no longer corresponds in the opinion of the Turkish political classes with international... Indicator/Confidence
Financial Crisis
According to data published on 29th July by the European Commission the confidence indicator with regard to the economic state of the euro area had... Bulgaria
World Bank
During a visit to Sofia in August Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank promised to contribute to the development of rail and road... Kosovo
Council
French General Xavier Bout de Marnhac is the new director of the Police and Justice Mission in Kosovo (Eulex). The decision was taken on 27th July by... France
Germany
The French Budget Minister, François Baroin travelled to Berlin on 24th August to discuss with German executives in charge of preparing the two... GDP
Spain
The National Statistics Institute in Spain (INE) announced on 26th August that the country's GDP had risen by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2010... Denmark
Financial Crisis
The Danish government presented its draft budget 2011 on 24th August - this is still being affected by the crisis with a public deficit in Denmark... Humanitarian Aid
Eurobarometer
A special Eurobarometer survey on humanitarian aid reveals that there is a high rate of solidarity amongst EU citizens with regard to victims of... Finance
Commission
On 16th August the European Commission put forward proposals that are designed to enhance the supervision of the major financial conglomerates within... UK
Financial Crisis
The UK's GDP growth was re-assessed upwards in the second quarter of 2010. It lies at +1.2% instead of +1.1% during a previous assessment. The GDP in... Diplomacy
Switzerland
Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey spoke on 23rd August at the opening of the Conference of Swiss Ambassadors in Interlaken. She said she... Spain
Unemployment
The Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on 30th July that the unemployment rate in the second semester had reached 20.09%... Germany
Financial Crisis
On 25th August the German government adopted a draft law to restructure the banking sector whereby in the future German banks will have to pay the... ITER
Agreement
At an extraordinary meeting at Cadarache on 27th and 28th July the seven project partners of the Iter project (European Community of Atomic... Iceland
Membership
On 27th July the first intergovernmental conference on Iceland’s membership of the EU was held in Brussels. Although Iceland abides by nearly ¾ of... Roms
Commission
The Council of Europe, by way of its president, recently expressed its concern about the policies that are being undertaken at present in Europe,... Italy
UK
On 4th August British Prime Minister David Cameron travelled to Rome where he met the President of the Italian Council Silvio Berlusconi. Their... Ireland
Financial Crisis
The financial evaluation agency Standard and Poor's decreased Ireland's debt mark from AA to AA- on 24th August giving it a negative perspective... Defence
Germany
German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg declared on 23rd August that he supported a reduction in the staffing of the armed forces and the... Hungary
Financial Crisis
Hungary will be ready to take up discussions with the IMF in the autumn after these were broken off in July said the Economy Ministry on 25th August... Eurostat
Population
According to data released by the European statistics office, Eurostat, published on 27th July the EU’s population has risen above the 500 million... Georgia
Council
The 27 European Foreign Ministers decided on 26th July to extend the surveillance mission in Georgia by one year (EUMM) until September 2011. The... Energy
Studies/Reports
The French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) has published a paper entitled "The EU's Major Electricity and Gas Utilities since Market... EU/USA
Presidency
In a press release on 17th August the President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel ... Germany
Slovakia
On 25th August German Chancellor Angela Merkel was host to Slovakian Prime Minister Iveta Radicova in Berlin. During a joint press conference Ms... Germany
Turkey
In an interview in the Bild Zeitung published on 27th July Guido Westerwelle, the German Foreign Minister said that Turkey was not ready to enter the... Nuclear
Studies/Reports
After a meeting at the Elysee on 27th July with the Nuclear Policy Council that aimed to look into the report written by former EDF CEO François... Finance
Studies/Reports
Paris Europlace, an organisation created in 1993 which rallies all international players in the financial market in Paris released a report in the... France
Unemployment
The Employment, Solidarity and the Civil Service Ministry has just published the latest unemployment figures for June 2010. The number of category A... France
Andorra
The President of the Republic of France, Nicolas Sarkozy visited Andorra rapidly on 28th July; the heads of the French State are joint princes of... Romania
IMF
The IMF and the EU accepted on 4th August the paymet to Romania of a further part of the 20 billion dollar aid granted in May 2009. In exchange the... Anti-Corruption
Romania
On 24th August the Romanian Senate adopted a new version of the law on the Anti-Corruption Agency. The successful running of this agency, created in... Exhibition/Bonn
Culture
The Federal Republic of Germany's National Centre for Art and Exhibitions is putting on an exhibition entiled "Afghanistan. Saved Treasure". The 230... Council
General Affairs and External Relations
On 27th July the 27 Foreign Ministers called on the Commission to issue an opinion on the request for EU membership on the part of Iceland. They... France
Financial Crisis
France has reviewed its growth forecast for 2011 down to 2% instead of 2.5% previously according to a press release published on 20th August by the... USA/Tax
Commission
Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Security expressed her discontent on 6th August after the USA's decision to impose, as from 8th... Elections
Moldova
Together the four main opposition parties won the early general elections in Moldova with 50.7% of the vote and 53 MPs ahead of the Communist Party... Germany
Czech Republic
Czech Prime Minister, Petr Necas made his first official visit to Germany on 19th August where he notably spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel....

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