For the first time in Denmark's history the outgoing government coalition won a third consecutive victory in the general elections. Comprising the Liberal Party (V) led by outgoing Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Conservative Party (KF) and the Danish People's Party (DF), the coalition won the election which took place in Denmark on 13th November. It won 50.5% of the vote and 89 seats, versus 45.8% and 81 seats for the four opposition parties on the left (Social Democrat Party,SD, Free Liberal Party, RV, Unity, EL, and the Socialist Party, SF). New Alliance (Y), a party founded and led by Naser Khader won 2.8% of the vote (five seats). Turn out rose ot 86.53%.

4.4 million Croats including 400,000 living abroad (mainly in Bosnia-Herzgovina), are being called to ballot on 25th November to renew the Hrvatski Sabor, the only House in Parliament. 3,585 candidates from 55 political parties are running. According to the most recent poll by PULS, the Democratic Union and the Social Democrat Party are due to win 30.3% of the vote on 25th November next. The Peasant Party/Social Liberal/ Primorje-Goranska Union Alliance (HSS/HSLS/PGS) is due to win 5.5% of the vote, Croatian Party of Pensioners and the People's Party, 5.3% each, the Party of Rights, 4.6%, the Democratic Centre (DC), 2.8% and finally the Istrian Democratic Assembly, 1.9%.

Jean-Dominique Giuliani, chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation will be in Riga on 23rd November to take part in a conference organised by the Latvian Foreign Ministry on "the Baltic States and the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy." He will speak on "political dialogue on a parliamentary level, a tool in the European Neighbourhood Policy."

Henri Weber's (PSE-FR) report was adopted by 593 votes in favour, 40 against and 18 abstentions with regard to digital TV services. He stresses that "the transfer over from analogue to digital comprises major progress and may contribute to the dissemination of cultures and an improvement in social cohesion," and hopes that no delay will occur with regard to the deadline established by the Commission for this switchover. The report aims to promote user interest and the spread of pluralist information.

Pal Schmitt's (EPP-DE, HU) report, adopted in 13th November by 590 votes in favour, 56 against and 21 abstentions calls on Member States to make physical education obligatory in schools at a rate of three sessions per week. Each year the number of European children who are obese or overweight increases by 400,000 unities. 21 million children are affected. This is now a real public health problem against which sport is an effective means of fighting.

On 13th November the European Parliament approved the inclusion of aviation in the European Union's CO2 emissions trading scheme; they have strengthened legislation by applying measures to all flights leaving and arriving at airports in the European Union. It excludes the possibility of exemptions for government flights but asks for these to be applied to military flights. The profit made in the auctions of 25% of the quotas will be used to reduce taxes on "clean" transport methods.

On 14th November the political group, Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty (ITS) at the European Parliament, which rallies far right MEPs was dissolved after the departure of the Romanian MEPs in the wake of an exchange of insults at the end of last week on the part of Alessandra Mussolini, member of the same group and grand-daughter of the former fascist leader, Benito Mussolini. The number of ITS members has therefore dropped below 20, the minimum required to form a political group.

Thierry Cornillet's (ADLE, FR) report with regard to "the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid," was adopted on 14th November. The aim is to rationalise work in the distribution of aid between the European Commission and the Member States. The report also recalls that the European Union (the Commission and the Member States) is the first supplier of humanitarian aid. In 2006 the European Union paid out over 2 billion euros, ie over 40% of official aid internationally.

Further to the publication of the Court of Auditors' annual report, the European Parliament is starting the 2006 discharge procedure determined to get results on the management of the EU budget. In its report, the Court flags up a still-considerable number of errors, notably for the structural funds.

On 14th November MEPs adopted a resolution on the EU-Russia Summit which took place in Mafra on 26th October. The relatively relaxed climate that reigned over this summit was highlighted, notably with regard to the embargo on Polish meat which was preventing negotiations on a new EU-Russia partnership agreement - the present one expires at the end of 2007. However Human Rights issues, energy, and the antimissile shield are worrying MEPs. The general elections are due to start on 2nd December and will be of particular focus on the part of MEPs.

On 14th November the European Parliament adopted a directive on the protection of land with regard to the efffects of climate change and pollution. The text includes provision for an inventory of potentially contaminated sites in the European Union and suggests that the 27 Member States come to an agreement on a joint framework to ensure the sustainability of land.

Elizabeth Lynne's (ADLE, UK) report adopted on 15th November by 345 votes in favour, 14 against and 2 abstentions, invites Member States to "apply ongoing community legislation more effectively" in the area of employment and social policy. 2010 will be the year to fight against poverty and social exclusion. These objectives must become priorities in European policy and cover areas as diverse as literacy levels, dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction, child poverty, and living conditions in prisons.

On 13th November the European Commission adopted proposals for a single telecommunications market rallying 500 million consumers. With the reform, the Commission wants to enable citizens to benefit from better and cheaper communication services. To achieve this, the Commission proposes strengthening consumer rights; giving consumers more choice by reinforcing competition between telecoms operators; promoting investment into new communication infrastructures. A new European Telecom Market Authority will support the Commission and national telecoms regulators in ensuring that market rules and consumer regulation are applied consistently, independently and without protectionism in all 27 European Union Member States.

On 13th November the Commission adopted four decisions significantly extend the Natura 2000 network in four biogeographical regions. Given the large natural variation in bio-diversity across the European Union, the directive divides the Community into different so called bio-geographical regions: Atlantic, Continental, Alpine, Mediterranean, Boreal, Macaronesian and Pannonian. The decisions concern the adoption of an initial list of Sites of Community Importance in the Pannonian region in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia and the updating of the existing lists in the Atlantic, Boreal and Continental biogeographical regions. Natura 2000 is an European Union-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive. It is the centrepiece of EU nature & biodiversity policy.

A study published by the Commission on 13th November on researcher salaries reveals that wages earned by European researchers is 23,000 euros below that of their American counterparts and lower than the average researcher wage in Australia, India and Japan. The study reveals major differences within the European area of research (ranging from 9,800 euros in Bulgaria to 46,500 euros in Switzerland) as well as between men and women; the difference can rise to 35% in some countries. The means to assess experience and the level of remuneration at the start of a career are clearly different in the Union: a British researcher can hope to achieve major wage rises during his career (up to 335%) whilst a Danish researcher will only see his salary rise by 90%.

Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer Protection announced on 14th November the results of an European Union wide investigation against misleading advertising and unfair practices on airline ticket selling websites. The clampdown covers Europe's leading airlines, low cost carriers as well as other websites selling airline tickets. The results of the inquiry show that over 50% of all websites showed irregularities, in particular relating to price indications, contract terms and clarity of proposed conditions. The companies have four months to fall into line with European law.

On 13th November the European Commission decided to open an in-depth investigation under the European Union Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition by US company Google of the online advertising technology company DoubleClick, also of the US. The Commission's initial market investigation indicated that the proposed merger would raise competition concerns in the markets for intermediation and ad serving in online advertising. The Commission has 90 working days (until 2nd April 2008) to take a final decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

European Union education ministers held council on 15th and 16th November in Brussels. The first conclusions involve the approval of a directive that aims to improve the efficacy in monitoring the granting of public contracts. The Council also approved the European qualifications framework (EQF) for life-long learning, accepting all the amendments suggested by the European Parliament. Finally general guidelines were adopted to strengthen the ongoing Erasmus Mundus programme until the end of its present financial framework.

On 14th November the German government approved the new European treaty. This decision will enable Chancellor Angela Merkel to sign the latter alongside her 26 partners on 13th December next in Lisbon. The future "Lisbon Treaty" will enter force once ratified by the 27 European Union Member States. In Germany the ratification has to have been completed by "the parliamentary break in the summer of 2008."

Franz Müntefering (SPD) resigned on 13th November from his post as Deputy Chancellor and Labour Minister for personal reasons. He was replaced by Olaf Scholz (SPD) as Labour Minister. Foreign Affairs Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), will now take over the position of Deputy Chancellor.

On 15th November German MPs renewed the Bundeswehr's commitment by a wide majority to the "Enduring Freedom" operation launched in 2001 to counter terrorism in Afghanistan. The decision was taken by 413 votes in favour, 145 against. A wide majority also emerged to approve the Bundeswehr's commitment to the two missions undertaken under the auspices of the UN: UNMIS, the UN stabilisation and peacekeeping mission in South Sudan and UNAMID, the hybrid UN/African Union force in Darfur.

French Prime Minister, François Fillon received his Russian counterpart Viktor Zubkov on 16th November for the 12th annual Franco-Russian government seminar. On the agenda were : energy, transport, aeronautic co-operation and space. This seminar allowed the participants to address other aspects of bilateral co-operation between France and Russia such as culture, agriculture, education, youth and healthcare.

On 12th November British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave his first speech on foreign policy. He recalled the importance of the UK's relationship with the USA and called on Iran to solve its dispute with the international community on the nuclear issue. He believes that France and Germany's close relationship and that of the European Union with the USA is a good thing. He is still careful however when speaking of European issues.

In a speech given on 15th November at the College of Bruges, the Secretary of State for Foreign and European Affairs, David Miliband spoke of the British government's vision of Europe. He believes that "the European Union is not and will not be a superpower" and advises that it becomes a model regional power. He suggests that Europe be based on four principles. The European Union must remain open to the world. Then the community of institutions and actions has to enable victory over cultural, religious and regional divisions. In addition to this the European Union must help to avoid conflicts by imposing the respect of international law and human rights. Finally the European Union should be transformed into an Environmental Union.

The Council of the Federation, the Upper House in Parliament approved the suspension of Russian participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty on 16th November. The decision will take effect on 12th December. This suspension had already been approved by the Duma, the lower house, on 7th November. It has therefore received its final approval in Parliament.

According to Eurostat figures published on 14th November, GDP grew by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the European Union during the third quarter of 2007, compared with the previous quarter. In the second quarter of 2007, growth rates were +0.3% in the euro area and +0.5% in the European Union. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP grew by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the European Union in the third quarter of 2007, after +2.5% and +2.8% respectively in the previous quarter.

According to figures published by Eurostat on 14th November the number of jobs available rose to 222 million in the second quarter of 2007 which represents an increase of over 3 million in one year and a rise of one million in comparison with the previous quarter.

According to Eurostat figures published on 15th November, the Euro area annual inflation was 2.6% in October 2007, up from 2.1% in September. A year earlier the rate was 1.6%. Monthly inflation was 0.5% in October 2007. European Union annual inflation was 2.7% in October 2007, up from 2.2% in September. In October 2007, the lowest annual rates were observed in Malta and the Netherlands (1.6% each), Denmark and Finland (1.8% each), and the highest rates in Latvia (13.2%), Bulgaria (10.6%) and Estonia (8.7%).

On 8th November French Senator Hubert Haenel, President of the Senate's Delegation for the European Union delivered an information report on the Lisbon Treaty which analyses the main progress included in the new paper. He tries to answer to questions: how is the new treaty different from the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe? What are the main changes it will provide in comparison with the treaties already in existence?

On 12th November the DGAP (German Society for Foreign Policy) published an analysis entitled : "Paris und der EU-Russland-Dialog - eine neue Dynamik mit Nicolas Sarkozy?"(Paris and the EU-Russia Dialogue - will Nicolas Sarkozy provide new dynamism?). Author, Thomas Gomart analyses the development of the France-Russia relationship with Nicolas Sarkozy's rise to power. He recommends that EU-Russia dialogue be made on an equal basis.

The Odile Jacob publishing house has published a book managed by Bronislaw Geremek, MEP and Robert Picht, Deputy Rector of the College of Europe on "Visions of Europe". This work analyses the European debate.