On 9th May we shall be celebrating the 67th anniversary of the Robert Schuman Declaration, in reference to 9th May 1950, when Robert Schuman the then French Foreign Affairs Minister launched the construction of the European Community.  On this occasion, everywhere across Europe, we shall be celebrating Europe Day. Many European towns and regions are organising all kinds of festivities (concerts, conferences, visits, exhibitions etc ...). Find an event near you. Read Robert Schuman's works. Test your knowledge of Europe.

On 7th May the candidate running for En Marche, Emmanuel Macron, won the second round of the French presidential election with 66.1% of the vote ahead of Marie Le Pen (FN) who won 33.9%. This election was marked by high abstention (25.44%) and a record level of blank or void votes (8.56%). At 39 Emmanuel Macron became the young French president ever. He will take over from François Hollande on 14th May next.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani has published "Pour quelques étoiles de plus... Quelle politique européenne pour la France ?". An enlightening read after the French Presidential election in order to understand what the new president, Emmanuel Macron, might do.

On 2nd May measures were adopted to enable private parties and businesses to regulate their administrative formalities on line, whether this is in their own country or when they are working, living or doing business in another EU country.

The 28 Member States agreed on 3rd May regarding new anti-dumping measures drafted in November by the European executive that mainly target but do not name China and its low cost exports.

On 4th May the Commission and the High Representative established the political priorities of a strengthened partnership with Africa as part of the EU-Africa strategy.

On 2nd May German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sotchi. During this first visit to Russia since 2015 she emphasised the preparation of the G20 Summit in Hamburg on 7th and 8th July and also international issues, including the Ukrainian and Chechnya.

On 4th May the Bulgarian Parliament approved 133 votes in support 100 against the third government to be led by Boyko Borissov (GERB). This government includes 20 ministers five of whom are women and 4 ministers are from the three nationalist parties represented in Parliament.

Since May 1st Denmark is no longer full member of Europol, the date when the European police agency's new mandate (rejected by the Danes in a referendum in 2015) entered into force. Denmark now enjoys observer status and signed a cooperation agreement with the agency in order to take part in information sharing and protection of access to its police databases.

On 4th May Ariane 5 launched two Brazilian and Korean telecommunications satellites into orbit.

On 2nd May Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka announced his resignation. But on 5th he indicated that the would not in fact hand in his resignation and instead aims to dismiss Andrej Babis, the leader of ANO, who is notably suspected of tax fraud, of his function as Minister of Finance.

On 4th May the Romanian Constitutional Court upheld its ban on convicted political leaders from entering government. The nine judges of the Court have over the past few months rejected a decision regarding this sensitive issue, to the backdrop of strong turnout by the Romanians in the fight to counter corruption.

On 3rd May the British Parliament was dissolved according to the law, i.e. 25 working days before the snap election on 8th June next. British Prime Minister Theresa May went to Buckingham Palace to ask Queen Elizabeth permission to dissolve parliament.

On 2nd May Sweden announced the end of systematic ID control on its border with Denmark. These controls were initially introduced in January 2016 to stem the influx of refugees. At the same time the government decided to strengthen police presence and customs staff to monitor this border.

On 2nd May the Council of Europe published a report notably showing that in the countries in which public radiobroadcasting companies are appreciated by the population and which have the necessary sources, "rightwing extremism and corruption are less developed and the freedom of the press is doing a great deal better."

According to a Eurostat study dated 3rd May the GDP is up by 0.5% in the euro zone and by 0.4% in the EU, ie 1.7% and 1.9% respectively in comparison with the first quarter of 2016.

According to a Eurobarometer survey dated 3rd May 2017 88% of those interviewed thought it important for the European Union to finance emergency humanitarian aid. And more than half (56%) thought that their State did not have the means to face the most recent humanitarian crises.

According to a study by Coface published on 2nd May labour shortages ( qualified staffs shortages) in Central and Eastern Europe may impede growth in the long term. These countries are refusing to accept immigrants but birthrates remain low (1.3 children per women) and emigration has been high since 1990 (20 million people).

From 11th to 14th May Prague is hosting "Book World", its international book fair that brings together more than 600 exhibitors from around 20 countries. Debates and signings with authors, reading sessions and workshops are all on the programme.