Lignes de repères publishing together with the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Foundation for Political Innovation has published its second edition of "L'Opinion européenne". Under the guidance of Dominique Reynié, a team of authors explains European opinion and behaviour.

The "European Montenegro" coalition - created by the Democratic Union of Socialists (DPS), the outgoing Prime Minister's party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Bosniak Party (BS) and the Croatian Citizens' Initiative (HI) - won the election with 51.1% of the vote ie the absolute majority taking 49 of the 81 seats in Parliament. The main opposition party, the People's Socialist Party (SNP) won 16.1% of the vote (15 seats), New Serb Democracy (NOVA) 9% (8 seats), the Movement for Change (GZP) 6.1% (4 seats) and the coalition of the People's Party (NS) and the Democratic Serb Party 3% (2 seats). The Albanian-speaking parties should be given three seats. Participation rose to 66% ie below the figure registered in the previous general elections on 10th September 2006 (-5.37 points).

Romania is to benefit from a loan of around 20 billion euros over two years from the IMF, the European Union and the World Bank to face the crisis announced IMF manager Jeffrey Franks on 25th March. Romania is the third EU Member State after Hungary and Latvia to benefit from a support plan such as this from financial institutions. 12.9 billion of this amount will come from the IMF, 5 billion from the EU, between 1 and 1.5 billion from the World Bank and the difference will come from other financial institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The IMF money will be used to cover the currency reserves of the Central Bank whilst the EU loan will allow Bucharest to cover the budgetary deficit.

Economists at the WTO forecast on 23rd March a 9% decline in world trade in 2009 in the wake of the recession; this comprises the greatest decline since the Second World War. These extremely dark forecasts can be explained by the slowing in economic activity in most industrialised countries and the decline of exports that started in 2009 in the major economies, notably in Asia.

The IMF board of governors approved a reform of its lending tools on 24th March to help countries during the world crisis. This reform plans for a major overhaul of lending terms and an increase in the amounts of the loans. The G20 countries are to guarantee the funding of this reform by granting the IMF more funds which will notably enable it to help under developed countries face up to the crisis.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on 23rd March, ECB Chairman Jean-Claude Trichet said that in 2010 the European economy would "recover moderately" for four reasons: the effect of the fall in oil prices, the development of the economies thanks to discretionary fiscal policies, exceptional measures taken to enhance the financial sector as well as the role played by central banks.

On 25th March Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced a recovery plan totalling six billion euros in 2009 and 2010 and warned that he wanted to make savings as from 2011 to halt the public deficit. The plan which notably plans for investments in road and river constructions, the abolition of a tax on plane tickets and measures against youth unemployment, represents around 1% of the GDP, according to economists.

According to INSEE figures published on 27th March the French GDP decreased in the fourth quarter of 2008 by 1.1%. Household spending accelerated slightly (+0.3% after +0.1% in the 3rd quarter of 2008). Exports have collapsed (-3.5% after +0.9% in the third quarter of 2008) whilst imports have also decreased (-2.3% after +0.8%). In all the external balance has led to a -0.3 point decrease in the GDP this quarter (after zero contribution in the previous quarter).

The IMF and the Serb government came to an agreement on 26th March on a loan of around 3 billion euros in exchange for a reduction in the country's budgetary expenditure. This loan is to extend over a period of 27 months to end mid-April 2011. The head of the IMF mission in Serbia, Albert Jaeger said that the Serb authorities were to take a series of measures by mid-May to obtain the loan from the IMF management.

The Belgian Council of Ministers, which met on 27th, March approved a draft Royal decision that aims to provide a Belgian State guarantee for some debts and some losses made on the part of Fortis Banque. The proposal made by Finance Minister Didier Reynders grants a State guarantee for debts and losses that total around 10 billion euros.

Austria is due to experience a contraction of between 2.5%-2.7% of its GDP in 2009 then in 2010 a slight recovery will occur with positive growth of 0.4%-O.5% according to forecasts by the Wifo and IHS institutes published on 27th March in Vienna. In 2008 Austrian economic growth lay at 1.8% with almost zero growth in the third quarter and a 0.2% decline in the fourth and final quarter in comparison with the previous quarter.

The Bank of Spain and the government had to save a financial establishment on 29th March for the first time since the start of the crisis - the savings bank Castille-la-Manch is to receive public funds; the board of directors is to be replaced. The Bank of Spain has placed Castille-la-Manche under supervision, appointing directors to replace the outgoing management.

The recession that is hitting the Irish economy worsened at the end of 2008 - the GDP contracted by 7.5% on an annual level over the fourth quarter and by 2.3% over the entire year said the Irish Central Statistics Office (CSO). The GNP which excludes profits made by the great number of foreign companies established on the island declined by 6.7% in the fourth quarter and by 3.1% in 2008 added the CSO in its press release.

The unemployment rate in the thirty OECD countries "might rise" to nearly 10% by the end of 2010 said the OECD on 29th March. "By the end of 2010 unemployment may be close to a two digit figure in all G8 countries, except for Japan, just as in the entire OECD zone," writes the organisation in a document. The unemployment rate in the OECD zone rose to 6.9% in January 2009, "ie an increase of nearly one point in comparison with the year before," says the OECD.

The public deficit planned for in 2009 in Slovenia was reviewed up to 3.4% of the GDP ie above the 3% rule established by the EU, according to the budget established by the centre-left government and appproved on 27th March by Parliament. In 2008 the Slovenian public deficit was restricted to 1.8% of the GDP.

European Foreign Ministers met on 28th March for an informal summit dedicated notably to the enlargement of the EU; they confirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkans. However a schism growing on this subject between the older member countries, who are reticent about any new enlargement and the newer members who support it.

On 26th March the Francisco José Millan Mon report (EPP-ED, ES) was adopted 503 votes in favour, 51 against and 10 abstentions. The new trans-Atlantic partnership depends on a new institutional architecture with the creation of a Trans-Atlantic Policy Council which will be used as a consultative organisation for foreign and security policy and the creation of a mixed Parliamentary Commission that will replace the present trans-Atlantic legislators dialogue. The Trans-Atlantic Economic Council should also lead to the unification of the trans-Atlantic market by 2015. Finally the report stresses the need for the USA to join the Rome Status of the International Criminal Court.

On 25th March MEPs voted in favour of concerted aid to the car industry. In their resolution they supported the Commission's proposals which aim to avoid protectionism, to invest in research to develop safer, cleaner and more competitive cars and finally to help the people affected by restructuring, notably by developing vocational training.

On 26th March MEPs adopted a resolution aiming to fight against cybercrime. The originality of this resolution lies in the assertion of the principle of internet users' rights and notably prevents internet access being blocked by a government or a private company. Arguing that "IT illiteracy will be the illiteracy of the 21st century," rapporteur Stavros Lambrindis (PES, EL) opposes the legislation that has been put forward in France. The report adopted, 481 votes in favour, 25 against and 21 abstentions recalls the importance of the rigorous respect of the law with regard to data management.

On 24th March during a plenary session MEPs approved the new rules governing the security of cosmetic products 633 votes in favour, 29 against and 11 abstentions - the use of nanomaterials was addressed for the very first time. MEP's approved on first reading the negotiated compromise text with the Council basing themselves on the report by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt (PES, DE). The adopted regulation notably stipulates that nanomaterials must be clearly labelled in the list of a product's ingredients. A catalogue of all cosmetic products containing nanomaterials will also be published.

On 25th March MEPs adopted two reports that focus on regulation proposals to enable the revision of legislation governing 'European Single Sky II'. The first report on the increase in air transport results in Europe was approved by 614 votes in favour, 47 against and 24 abstentions. The second report adopted 662 votes in favour, 20 against and 11 abstentions, aims to guarantee better air traffic management and to develop air navigation services. Long term the re-organisation of traffic should lead to improved security , increased air space capacity, a reduction in costs as well as improved protection of the environment.

The cost of calls, sending messages and surfing on the net using mobile phones is due to fall from 1st July 2008. A compromise on the extension of the regulation on roaming 2007 was reached between MEPs and the Czech Presidency of the EU on 24th March. This compromise does not estabish roaming tarifs on a European scale but sets ceilings below which telephone operators can compete by offering the lowest prices. It was agreed with the Commission that roaming prices for mini-written messages should not be invoiced over 0.11 cts (VAT excluded) as from July 1st 2009.

As from 2012 Europeans will be able to undertake automatic bank transfers free of charge in their country and in any EU country to pay their rent or their telephone bill said the European Commission on 24th March. This liberalisation is one of the key elements in the implementation of the single payment area in euros that started last year and is to continue in November with the launch of a SEPA Direct Debit scheme. "In particular, the Commission makes clear that a general per transaction multilateral interchange fee (MIF) for direct debit transactions does not seem justified for efficiency reasons and therefore does not appear compatible with EU antitrust rules." says the text. From November 2009, the launch date of the European direct debit system, to the end of 2011 fees will be tolerated but they will then have to be abolished with regard both to national and cross-border direct debits.

Europe is the world leader for mobile telephone services: with a subscription rate of 119% of the population in 2008 (ie 7 points more than in 2007), the EU lies far ahead of the USA (87%) and Japan (84%) concluded the progress report on the single telecommunications market that the Commission presented on 25th March. In spite of the economic crisis the European telecommunications sector (that generates 3% of the EU's GDP) continued to grow in 2008: its revenues are estimated at over 300 billion euros, which represents higher growth in comparison with 2007 than in the rest of the economy (1.3% against 1%). However the Commission report also points out that if there is not better coordination on a European level the lack of coherence between the national regulations may endanger the benefits provided by the single telecommunications market.

On 24th March the European Commission adopted a Council recommendation in view of authorising the launch of negotiations for the adoption of an Agreement creating a Unified Patent Litigation System. This system would enhance legal security, reduce costs and facilitate company access, notably by SMEs to the litigation settlement procedure. The legal structure that has to be established would cover both existing European patents and future community patents. This is a vitally important step in the implementation of the European Union's structural reform programme.

On 25th March the European Commission adopted two proposals for new rules to step up the fight against trafficking in human beings and child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography. These new proposals replace existing legislation which has been in place since respectively 2002 and 2004. The new proposals will guarantee full alignment with the highest European standards, provide better assistance for victims and tougher action against criminals responsible for child sexual abuse and trafficking. The proposals also deal with the rapidly changing technologies in the cyberspace. "We want to build an EU that is truly able to protect the most vulnerable citizens against the most terrible crimes," said Vice-President of the Commission, Jacques Barrot.

On 24th March the Commission obtained the backing of the EU Member States (at a meeting of the Management Committee) for a draft Regulation on, among other things, the labelling of wine. The new rules relate in particular to rosé wine and provide for the option of informing European consumers of the method of production used. Rosé wine may be produced either by traditional methods (short maceration, partial dripping by draining or complete pressing) or by blending red and white wines. At present such blending is banned in the European Union in the case of 'table wines'. In view of the concerns recently expressed about the lifting of the ban, the Commission has developed an approach based on consumer information by means of labelling.

The new portal "Your Europe-Business" facilitates entrepreneurial access to information on the exercise of economic activities in other EU Member States. Created in close co-operation with the Member States it is part of the implementation of the Small Business Act. Launched on 26th March this site helps SMEs to take best advantage of trading and to promote their services on the single market.

In an editorial published on their internet site on 30th March the Gracques note and deplore that since MEPs such as UMP Alain Lamassoure, Socialist Olivier Duhamel and even Centrist Jean-Louis Bourlanges have "honoured their country and fulfilled their term in office" they have now been pushed aside by their parties off the European election lists. "It is characteristic of the French parties, all trends put together, to overrepresent apparatchiks with no electoral attachment or those rejected by universal suffrage on their candidate lists in the European elections" or to re-invest "the outgoing champions of parliamentary absenteism."

The European elections will take place on 7th June in Hungary announced Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom. The President's announcement comes just a few days after Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany announced his intention to resign to bring the country out of politico-economic stalemate. In the European Parliament the Hungarians will be electing 22 MEPs.

On 23rd March German Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated to the Federal Association of German Banks that the government had shown that it was able to respond to the crisis via its law on the stabilisation of the financial markets. Now the banks' questionable assets had to be removed from their accounts and notably they had to plan for the fair distribution of the burden of the crisis between the tax payers and the banks - with the latter assuming their responsibilities. On 28th March the German state started the nationalisation of the real estate bank Hypo Real Estte (HRE), a symbol of the financial crisis in Germany; the state has taken over 8.7% of the establishment's shares before it starts expropriating other shareholders. HRE, one of the country's biggest banks announced that the state had acquired 20 million shares for 60 million euros. At the same time the bank announced an abyssal loss of 5.46 billion euros in 2008.

During the referendum on 29th March the Maorese voted "yes" (95.2%) to Mayotte becoming a French "département". Turn out lay at 61.02% according to the Prefecture. All of the political parties called on the inhabitants to vote in favour. Mayotte's new status notably includes social and fiscal harmonisation with mainland France. The deployment of social aid will be extremely progressive - over at least 20 years as from 2011, the date when Mayotte will become the 101th French "département".

The G8 (Italy, France, UK, Japan, Canada, Germany, Russia) which have been together in Rome since 29th March in a meeting entitled "People First" extended half of its sessions to the Employment Ministers of China, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Egypt. The OECD, the IMF and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are also taking part. The theme of the meeting focuses on the human and social consequences of the economic and financial crisis. The aim is to succeed in agreeing on concerted action that aims to avoid massive unemployment. Maurizio Sacconi, Italian Employment Minister underlined his intention to "propose to the summit the adoption of a global social protection pact."

On 26th March UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband launched the 11th edition of the Annual Report on Human Rights, during a conference that brought together journalists, academics and NGOs. This report draws up a list of measures taken by the UK to promote Human Rights across the world. Human Rights are linked to other objectives included in Britain's foreign policy: the fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation, the promotion of a low carbon economy, strong economic growth, the prevention and settlement of conflicts and finally the development of effective international institutions. This year the report particularly looks into the prevention and protection of women's and children's rights. A chapter is dedicated to the 20 countries which are the source of greatest concern in the world and to the issue of Human Rights.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in New York on 25th March. During the G20 summit on 2nd April in London they want to renew their commitment to helping the poorest nations. According to Gordon Brown it is the G20's duty to help the other nations to restructure their financial institutions and to make the most of free trade.

According to figures published by Eurostat on 23rd March the first estimate for the euro area trade balance with the rest of the world in January 2009 gave a 10.5 bn euro deficit, compared with -11.1 bn in January 2008. The December 20082 balance was -1.7 bn, compared with -4.5 bn in December 2007. In January 2009 compared with December 2008, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 10.7% and imports by 7.3%. EU trade with most of its major partners grew, with the exception of exports to the USA (-5% in 2008 compared with 2007) and Japan (-3%), and imports from Japan and South Korea (both -5%) and Turkey (-2%). The largest increases were recorded for exports to Brazil (+24%) and Russia (+18%), and for imports from Russia and Norway (both +20%).

In 2008, 32% of people aged 16 to 74 in the EU purchased or ordered something over the internet at least once in the course of the last 12 months - this included goods or services for their private usage - said Eurostat on 27th March. The percentage of private parties using the internet to purchase goods has increased constantly rising from 20% in 2004 to 30% in 2007. Between 2004 and 2008 all Member States recorded an increase in on-line trade.

The April edition of the review, The World Today, published by Chatham House is mainly dedicated to the G20 summit and the 60th anniversary of NATO. It also focuses on te 30th anniversary of the USSR-Afghanistan war and on the economic situation in Russia.

On 2nd July 2008 the European Commission presented a proposal for the directive relative to the application of patients rights - as part of the "Renovated Social Agenda" - in terms of cross-border care. The European Affairs Committee of the French Senate recently published a report entitled "Soins de Santé transfrontaliers." This report reviews patient mobility and their rights in the EU, then it presents the measures in the proposed directive.

The Romanian Centre for European Policy has just published a study on the European elections entitled "More democracy in the European Elections." Cristian Ghinea, Marina Popescu and Florin Poenaru look into the causes of Romanian abstentionism in the European elections although they are quoted in the Eurobarometer as being the most Euro-positive of European citizens. To give greater profile and responsibility to candidates and to the electorate the authors suggest that EP candidates sign non-resignation promises, that a preferential voting system be adopted, that the elections be orgnaised regionally to provide parliamentarians with an electoral base and to avoid the overlap of European elections with the national ones.

Buchet Chastel Publishing has released a book by Pierre Servent entitled "Les Guerres Modernes racontées aux Civils ... et aux Militaires" (Modern Wars told to civilians ... and soldiers"). With the death of soldiers in Afghanistan, France has rediscovered war. By the use of many examples, unique accounts and telling portraits of soldiers and officers, notably French and American, the author presents the new faces of war.

The Trans-Atlantic Institution has just published "Europe, Iran and the Bomb" by Emanuele Ottolenghi. The author assesses the threat represented by the development of the nuclear bomb by Iran which may endanger stability in the Middle East as well as Europe's strategic interests. However the European Union is Iran's leading economic partner which complicates the work of European decision-makers. The author identifies the measures that Europeans might and should take to help put an end to the Iranian nuclear programme.

From 26th March to 16th August, the Wallraf Richartz Museum in Cologne is exhibiting 150 pieces of work dedicated to the moon, from Middle Age paintings to space photography and the Romantic pictures of Caspar David Friedrich. For the museum curator Andreas Blühm an important statement can be made about the exhibition: although the Moon is unchangeable, each era sees it in a totally different light. 2009 was declared "World Astronomy Year" since Galileo pointed his telescope at the Moon for the first time four hundred years ago.

As part of "Vilnius 2009, European cultural capital" there will be an international exhibition of paintings "Natural Sadness, European landscapes" until 17th May at the Fine Arts Museum of Lithuania. The 250 pieces of work on show reflect the diversity of European landscapes between the 16th century and the start of the 20th.