The party of Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) led by the Mayor of Sofia Boïko Borissov made a landslide victory in the general elections that took place on 5th July. The GERB won 39.70% of the vote and took 116 of the 240 seats in the National Assembly, the only Chamber in Parliament. The Socialist Party led by outgoing Prime Minister Serguey Stanishev suffered heavy defeat with 17.72% of the vote and 40 seats. Its government partner, the Movement for Rights and Freedom, representing the Turkish minority won 14.47% of the vote (38 seats). The far right party Ataka won 9.37% of the vote and 21 seats, the Blue Coalition formed by the alliance between the Union of Democratic Forces and the Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria won 6.73% of the vote and 15 seats, the Party for Order, Law and Justice (RZS) won 4.13% of the vote and 10 seats. The party led by former King Simeon II is no longer represented. Turn out rose to 59.76%.

The British economy suffered its greatest contraction in the first quarter of the year since 1958. The GDP fell by 2.4% instead of the estimated 1.9% and decreased by 4.9% in comparison with the first quarter of 2008. This contraction is mainly due to a decline in activities in the building sector to -6.9%, in the manufacturing industry to -5.1% and in the services sector to -1.6%. In addition to this the public deficit decreased dropping from 8.4 billion £ last quarter to 8 billion £ this quarter.

At the end of the conference on the fate of the property of the victims of the Holocaust organised in Prague from 26th to 30th June 2009 46 countries committed to continue the atonement procedure with regard to the despoilment suffered by Jews during the Nazi regime in the so-called "Terezin Declaration", the name of the former Jewish ghetto in the north of Prague. Signatories notably promised to extend access to archives to facilitate the identification of confiscated property. The declaration also includes the use of victims' property when there are no descendants to provide social aid to survivors and to develop education on the Shoah. The EU also promised to create a European Institute on the Shoah Heritage that is to guarantee the continued process of restitution, which are only just beginning in Central and Eastern Europe.

The parliamentary group "Independence/Democracy which now comprises 30 MEPs and 8 member states will officially change name on the opening of the parliamentary session on 14th July to become the "Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD). This far right group that was formed on 1st July mainly comprises the British UKIP and Italian Northern League. It also includes the only Libertas representative, Frenchman Philippe de Villiers. Led by Briton Nigel Farage it will campaign agianst the Lisbon Treaty and will demonstrate its opposition to the EU's integration and immigration policies.

On 2nd July the European Commission established 2012 as the final date for Latvia to reduce its budgetary deficit to at least 3% of the GDP. This recommendation comes as part of the excessive deficit procedure. This deadline is also part of the economic and budgetary adjustment process undertaken by the country in view of adopting the euro mid-term. In addition to this the Commission has decided to pay the second part of 1.2 billion euros of the balance of payments loan granted by the EU to help Latvia through the economic crisis. This part will be paid in July after the signature of a new agreement protocol and afer raising money on the financial markets.

On 30th June the German Constitutional Court suspended the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty demanding an additional law to guarantee the rights of the German parliament. The Vice-President of the Constitutional Court, Andreas Vosskuhle gave details of the decision: "To summarise the Constitution says yes to the Lisbon Treaty but demands a strengthening of the parliament's responsibility nationally with regard to integration." German president Horst Köhler was waiting for this decree to promulgate the law approved by the Bundestage and the Bundesrat. The Bundestag is to meet in an emergency meeting on 26th August in view of the adoption of an additional text on 8th September. This setback should not however delay the European agenda: a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is planned for in Ireland in October and the Czech and Polish Presidents still have to sign the treaty, which has been ratified by their parliaments.

The GERB won the Bulgarian general elections on 5th July clinching 39.71% of the vote and 116 seats of the 240 in the parliament, according to official results. The Socialist Party led by outgoing Prime Minister Serguey Stanishev suffered heavy defeat winning 17.7% of the vote ie 40 seats. The MDL (Turkish minority), member of the outgoing government won 14.46% and 38 seats. Three other parties have entered parliament including the nationalists Ataka with 21 MPs and 9.36% of the vote. The Blue Coalition, the GERB's partner within the European People's Party won 15 seats with 6.76% of the vote and the populist party Order, Legality and Justice (RZS) won 10 seats and 4.13% of the vote. They all declared they were ready to support a GERB government. Parliament will be sworn in on 14th July. The Mayor of Sofia, Boïko Borissov said he was prepared to form a new government and assume the function of Prime Minister.

On 30th June the European Court of Human Rights approved the Spanish government's action against the Batasuna and Herri Batasuna groups in which the latter were forced to disband, thereby making them illegal. Batasuna and Herri Batasuna appealed on 24th June 2004 invoking to the principles of freedom of expression, freedom to assemble and the freedom of association, the right to a fair trial and to effective appeal. With the sentence of 30th June 2009 the Court intended to guarantee the upkeep of public security and public order as well as the protection of rights and freedom. The Court also believed that both organisations were part of the ETA's terrorist strategy.

The winners of the 2009 Franco-German Journalism Prize received their honours on 29th June in Paris in the offices of France Télévisions. Several personalities were present including the burgermeister of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit. Simone Veil, academician, former minister and former president of the European Parliament received the Grand Franco-German Prize for Journalism. The Franco-German Prizes for Journalism were given to the winners appointed by a Franco-German jury in the categories of TV, radio, the written press, internet and young talent. Thanks to their work and their perspicacity journalists help both the French and Germans to understand each other better and to take Europe forwards.

On 30th June Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin created a new European internet site for Ireland (www.eumatters.ie) to inform the Irish of the EU's policies, events and programmes.

A protocol agreement was signed on 1st July between Luxembourg and Finland planning for the exchange of information on request between the fiscal adminstrations of both countries. This applies to the tax years 2010 onwards. In line with the Luxembourg government's decision of 13th March 2009 the agreement is the eighth to take on board the demands made by the OECD in terms of banking secrets and the exchange of tax information. In addition to this a similar agreement was signed on 2nd July in London: this was the third addition to the Convention signed on 24th May 1967 between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that aims to prevent double taxation and tax fraud on income and wealth tax.

The European Commission wants to look into the "Security Package" adopted on 2nd July in Italy to check if it is compatible with community law announced Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Justice, Security and Freedom. He recalled that the EU "could not accept general measures" and that controls had "to be individual" "targeted" and "proportional". The new law adopted by the Italian parliament demonstrates a tightening up in terms of the anti-immigration arsenal. It introduces the crime of illegal immigration punishable by a fine of between 5,000 euros to 10,000 euros together with immediate expulsion. It makes the presentation of a residence permit or passport obligatory when declaring the birth of a child. The length of time spent by illegal immigrants in detention centres may be extended up to 6 months in comparison with 2 at present in order to enable their identification in view of their expulsion back to their own country. Smugglers run the risk of three years in prison.

Whilst Lithuania is suffering severely from the effects of the economic and financial crisis, Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus appointed a new Finance Minister on 3rd July on the proposal of Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius: this is Ingrida Šimonytė. The latter has been Deputy Finance Minister to date and expressed her support for the austerity programme undertaken by her predecessor in order to limit budgetary deficit.

Portguese Economy Minister Manuel Pinho handed in his resignation on 2nd July after a faux-pas during a debate in Parliament after the heckling of an opposition MP; he was immediately replaced by Finance Minister Fernando Teixeira dos Santos. "The minister presented his resignation and I accepted it," said Prime Minister José Socrates to the press as he left parliament.

The early general elections in Czech Republic will take place on 9th and 10th October decided Czech President, Vaclav Klaus on 1st July. "President Vaclav Klaus set the date of the elections at the chamber of deputies at the Parliament for Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October," says the press release issued by the presidential office. On 8th May the present transitional government led by Jan Fischer comprising non-aligned experts replaced Mirek Topolanek's government (ODS) that had to resign at the end of March during the EU presidency after a motion of censure initiated by the Social Democratic Party (CSSD).

On 2nd July France and Romania concluded a cooperation agreement aiming to promote information exchange and the pooling of expertise with regard to European affairs; this agreement is part of the strategic partnership signed in 2008 between the two countries. Gilles Briatta, secretary general for European Affairs for the French government (SGAE) visiting Bucharest declared: "We are going to work together mainly on topical European issues and notably the economic and financial future of the EU, energy and enviromental issues, transport and agricultural policy." In the opinion of Vasile Puscas, head of the Department for European Affairs (DAE) for the Romanian government this agreement will enable "the harmonisation of our positions" since "we shall be benefiting from the experience of an EU founder state."

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development called on the UK on 29th June for whom it is forecasting a slow yet modest economic recovery to stabilise its public finances once it has emerged from the crisis. In its latest economic study of the country the OECD recalls that it is now forecasting a 4.3% reduction in the GDP in 2009 before zero growth next year. Moreoever once the recovery has started the financial crisis may amputate the country's growth long term, given the weight of the financial sector in the GDP it warned. Unemployment is due to rise to around 10% in 2010.

The Swedish Central Bank, the Riksbank, reduced its main interest rate to 0.25%, a new record low due to the fragility of the economic situation; it is now forecasting greater recession in Sweden in 2009 it announced on 2nd July. "The lowest level of economic activity demands a slightly more flexible monetary policy. This is why the Riksbank decided to reduce its main interest rate by 0.25 points announced the Central Bank in a press release.

According the preliminary results issued by the Central Electoral Committee the Democratic Party coalition led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha won 46.81% of the vote and is ahead of the Socialist coalition led by the Mayor of Tirana, Edi Rama who won 45.42% in the general elections that were held on 28th June. The Socialist Party for Integration (LSI) led by Ilir Meta won 5.56% of the vote. On 4th July Ilir Meta accepted Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha's invitation to join the government - an alliance that will enable the creation of a new majority.

On 1st July Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader announced his resignation more than two years before the end of his mandate without giving any real explanation. He is also quitting the chair of the Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ) which he took to power in 2003 and which was re-elected in 2007. On 3rd July Jadranka Kosor was appointed Prime Minister by the Croatian head of State. At 56 she will be the first woman to undertake this position since the country's independence in 1991.

On 30th June the Macedonian government announced the resignation of its Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Ivica Bocevski. "Every generation has its own battle to fight for Macedonia and mine was to promote European and Euro-Atlantic Macedonia," said Ivica Bocevski. "My contribution to the present government is now exhausted," he added. In expectation of a new Deputy Prime Minister the interim is being undertaken by Pero Dimsoski, Secretary State for European integration.

On 1st July Russian President Dmitri Medvedev declared that Russia was ready to review relations with the USA just days before the visit of his counterpart Barack Obama in Moscow on 6th-8th July. "The New American Administration - with Barack Obama as its leader - has shown its desire to change the situation, to build more effective, safer and finally more modern relations," stressed Mr Medvedev in a video that appears on his blog."And we are ready," he added.

On 2nd July the first Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ivica Dacic said that his country was prepared to take part in peace-keeping missions undertaken by the police forces of the EU. He said that this issue had been discussed with EU leaders and participation was extremely important to his country.

The gaspipeline project Nabucco that is to reduce EU dependence on Russian gas entered a new phase on 2nd July with the announcement of the signature on 13th July in Ankara of an intergovernment agreement between the five countries involved. The Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov announced in Varna that "the intergovernment agreement on the gaspipeline Nabucco project will be signed in Turkey on 13th July." This information was rapidly confirmed by the Turkish government that is preparing the programme for the signature ceremony of this agreement of principle between Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

Judges and prosecutors of 47 Member States of the Council of Europe met in Bordeaux on 30th June to 1st July to discuss their respective roles and their complementarity. Their discussions helped to prepare the opinion that is due to be adopted at the end of 2009. The conference led to the identification of common values with regard to both of their roles which are distinct and yet complementary together with common principles that should govern the status of judges and prosecutors whatever the system in which they practice.

The Organisation for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) ended its mission in Georgia on 30th June after spending 17 years in the country raising fears in Tbilissi with regard to the security of the separatist territory of South Ossetia. Negotiations on the extension of the OSCE's mandate failed after the short Russian-Georgian war in August 2008. The UN Observation Mission in Georgia has also started to withdraw from Georgia since there is no agreement within the UN Security Council on the continuation of this mission. On 1st July the Russians and the Georgians agreed to meet on 17th September to continue the "Geneva Discussions" after the sixth session that was deemed positive by all. The highpoint of this session was the issue of the OSCE and UN missions which had come to an end.

On 29th June the EIB invested 250 million euros in the company Nokia Siemens Netowrks to encourage research and development in Finland. This investment will fund a mobile technology project whose R&D section will also be undertaken in Finland, Germany, Poland and Italy. EIB Vice-President Eva Srejber stressed the importance the EIB accords to the development of knowledge economies which guarantee the long term growth of European economies.

The 16 countries of the euro area experienced negative inflation of -0.1% in June in comparison with the same month last year after 0% in May according to a first estimate published on 30th June by Eurostat. It is the first time that inflation has been in the negative since the creation of the euro area in 1999 even though the danger of deflation mid-term has been rejected for the time being.

The Centre for Applied Policy Research in Munich has published a study: "Europe and the Gulf Region - Towards a New Horizon". In spite of political and economic developments over the last few decades, the EU and the Gulf countries continue to share common interests that should encourage them to enhance their cooperation.

In a work entitled "The Georgian Tragedy" published by Grasset, Salomé Zourabichvili writes about what happened when Mikhail Saakachvili came to power in November 2003 after the "Rose Revolution" up to the entry of Russian tanks into Georgia in August 2008. Dismissed in October 2005 after having been Foreign Minister since March 2004 she witnessed the "chronical of a foretold war" in the opposition: the threat of their great neighbour now seems to be the only thing which maintains the autocrat of Tbilissi in power. In the new game that is emerging between America, Russia and Europe Georgia will be a major stake.

The "Saison de la Turquie en France" (Season of Turkey in France) was officially launched on 30th June by the French Culture Minister. The event that will last nine months from July 1st 2009 to 31st March 2010 will offer 400 cultural, economic, intellectual events all over France (notably heritage, modern art, architecture and photography exhibitions, theatre shows, dancing and street art together with musical concerts) to discover the liveliness, youth and modernity of Turkey.