The Franz Stock Meetings (1904-1948), in partnership with the Collège des Bernardins and the support of the Robert Schuman Foundation, are presenting a seminar on 7th and 8th October on Christian resistance to nazism in France and Germany.

On 9th October more than 30 million Poles will be renewing the two chambers of their parliament: the Diet (Sejm), and the Senate (Senat). The polls are anticipating victory for the Civic Platform, outgoing Prime Minister, Donald Tusk's party. The gap between it and its main rival, Jaroslaw Kaczynksi's, Law and Justice Party, has been narrowing over the last few weeks. In the most recent poll by Homo Homini, published on 25th September, the Civic Platform (PO) retains its lead with 33% of the vote, followed by Law and Justice (PiS) 28%; the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) 12%; the People's Party (PSL) 9%, and the Palikot Movement (RPP), an anticlerical party founded in June 2011 by former PO member Janusz Palikot, 3.5%. On 1st October, a poll by Homo Homini for the Polish public radio indicated that Civic Platform (PO) is due to win 30.1% and Law and Justice (PiS) 29.1%, the PSL is due to win 10.4%, the SLD 9.9% and the new left party Ruch Palikota, 9%.

The Slovenian Parliament approved the increase of the European Financial Stability Fund on 27th September which will bring the Slovenian guarantee up from 2.1 billion euros to 3.7 billion. The vote was settled with 49 votes in support out of 90 MPs, 4 voted against and 24 abstained.

In his speech on the "State of the Union" on 28th September, the President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso put forward a European tax on financial transactions. He declared that after European taxpayers had spent around 4,600 billion euros to save the banking sector, it was time for the latter to contribute also. With its minimal rate of 0.1% on shares and 0.01% on securities, 55 billion euros could be brought in and this would go towards funding national and European budgets. In his speech Mr Barroso also admitted that there was a confidence crisis in the European institutions, whilst, in his opinion, the cause of the present problems did not lie in the latter but because of dominant national interests. He is concerned about the rise of nationalism and the threat this poses for the future of Europe. He finally re-asserted the major role played by the community rather than the intergovernmental method and also rather than having isolated action on the part of the various Member States in terms of finding European responses to the present crisis. In order to emerge from the stalemate over unanimity, the Commission might even consider changes being made to the treaties.

On 27th September,International Tourism Day, the European Parliament adopted measures to promote tourism by a wide majority - the latter is a major economic sector for Europe. This project focuses on more targeted structural funds, a quality label and the harmonisation of hotel ratings, as well as VAT rates. The results expected are the creation of new jobs and the prevention of rural exodus.

The labelling of foodstuffs will now be harmonised and more extensive. On 29th September the Council of the European Union adopted, on second reading, a compromise text with the European Parliament, which aims to provide consumers with better information. The indication of allergens, energy values, and the quantities of (saturated) fat, sugar, proteins and salt will now be obligatory. The European authorities hope that if Europeans are better informed, obesity and illnesses linked to poor nutrition will be reduced.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble pleads once more for an election by direct universal suffrage of a President of the EU, in an interview with the weekly "Die Zeit" published on 28th September. "If we look to the future, it would be more important to think about having a president of the European Union than a European Finance Minister - and I have nothing against a European Finance Minister," he declared.

Denmark revealed a draft calendar for the Presidency of the Council of the EU which the country will undertake as of January 2012. The draft published on 27th September, outlines the major strategic targets which are: revival of the economy, enhancement of the common foreign policy and the rapprochement of the EU and its citizens. The Danish Presidency's site, under construction, is available at the present address: http://www.eu2012.dk/

Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero attended a ceremony at the royal palace on 27th September during which the King of Spain, Juan Carlos, ratified the reform of article 135 of the Spanish Constitution. This reform approved at the beginning of the month by the two chambers of parliament, introduces an obligation for budgetary stability.

On 26th September French President Nicolas Sarkozy defended "world social regulation" as G20 Labour Ministers met in Paris. Mr Sarkozy recalled that "the crisis had caused devastation on the labour market (...)" adding that "the G20 will only maintain its legitimacy if it manages to show it is effective in support of growth and employment." In this way he exhorted his partners to set up a "minimum social base in every country".

During a meeting with Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou on 27th September in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel, declared that Germany wanted a strong Greece in the euro zone. According to the Chancellor, Germany is prepared to give all the aid necessary. However Greece must respect the strictest terms of rigour. Moreover in addition to austerity plans Greece also has to invest to revive its economy.

Italian employers published a manifesto for growth on 30th September in order to "save Italy" from "decline" and to restore its credibility on the markets. "Italy is at a crossroads. It may choose between reform and growth in a context of public finance stability or on the contrary slip inevitably into economic and social decline," declare the employers' organisations, including Confindustria, in this manifesto.

The Polish government approved a draft, amended finance law for 2012 on 27th September which is counting on GDP growth of 4% against an expected 4.1% this year. "Poland's strong economy is entering a period of major turbulence in the world's economy", declared Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski. Donald Tusk's government is hoping next year that the public deficit will be down to 2.9% of the GDP, against 6.5% forecast in 2011 and that average annual inflation will lie at 2.8% against 3.5% this year. The public debt is due to decline slightly to 53% of the GDP at the end of 2012 compared with 53.8% at the end of 2011 said Mr Rostowski.

Slovenian President Danilo Turk announced on 28th September that early elections would take place on 4th December. The Slovenian government led by Borut Pahor was overthrown on 20th September after having lost the confidence vote in Parliament. The Slovenian President also added that "in line with the constitution, he would dissolve the Parliament on 21st October."

On 3rd October the Nobel Medicine Prize was given to Bruce Beutler (USA) and Ralph Steinman (Canada) jointly also to a Luxemburger Jules Hoffmann for their analysis of the immunity system. Hoffmann is a European researcher who studied and mainly undertook his research in France (Strasbourg) but also in Germany (Marburg).

On 27th September Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin appointed Anton Siluanov as interim Finance Minister and asked Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov to monitor the economy and finances after the forced resignation of Alexey Kudrine. The latter said that he refused to take part in a government led by Dmitri Medvedev, whilst the latter announced last week with Vladimir Putin, that they would exchange posts in 2012 during the next presidential and legislative elections in Russia.

Ukrainian prosecutors recommended a seven year prison sentence against Yulia Tymoshenko 27th September. The former Prime Minister and opponent to President Viktor Yanukovich is accused of abuse of power after signing gas agreements with Russia that were damaging to her country in 2009. The EU is following the trial closely and is demanding the liberation of the politician. A spokesperson for High Representative Catherine Ashton called on Ukraine to respect the principle of transparency on 28th September, which is "particularly important in a country with whom we are planning to deep contractual relations." The EU's Ambassador in Ukraine stepped up pressure by declaring that the "message had not been heard and that a process, which we would like to avoid for Ukraine's good and its relations with the EU, is continuing." Ms Tymoshenko qualified her trial and a "political lynching" on 29th September. The verdict will be given on 11th October announced Judge Rodion Kireyev on 30th September.

On 30th September Eurostat published inflation figures for September. In the euro zone inflation is estimated at 3% ie +0.5 points in comparison with August.

The Foundation for International Relations and External Dialogue (FRIDE) has published a study entitled "Is the EU's Eastern Partnership promoting Europeanisation?" in which it stresses the failure of this policy to initiate real reforms in the field. The authors highlight the fact that good relations with the EU's immediate neighbourhood is however a significant advantage in a world in which new political players are emerging and in which the EU must refashion its role.

Former diplomat, associate professor at Sciences-Po Paris, specialist of the Muslim world, Jean-Pierre Filiu has published a book with Fayard entitled "La Revolution arabe, dix leçons sur le souvlèvement démocratique".

The Martin-Gropius-Bau and the Royal Castle of Warsaw are presenting an exhibition "Door to Door - Poland - Germany - 1000 years of art and history" until 9th January. The exhibition shows the masterpieces such as the portrait of Albert de Brandenburg by Lucas Cranach, pictures of 17th century Gdansk, and a great deal of work by modern artists.