The outgoing Italian President Sergio Mattarella was re-elected on 29 January for a second 7-year term. The Christian Democrat, who was not initially a candidate, won an absolute majority in the 8th round of voting, with 759 votes out of 1,009 electors.

In the Netherlands, cultural venues have reopened, as have bars and restaurants, but only until 10pm and in reduced capacity. In Austria, the confinement of non-vaccinated people was lifted on 31 January. In Denmark, restrictions such as the wearing of masks were lifted on 1 February. On the same day, in Italy, the validity of the health pass was reduced from nine to six months, except in the case of a booster vaccination. To follow developments in the situation and learn about the measures in place in the EU Member States, the Foundation offers you a comprehensive map of the measures in place. An indispensable, regularly updated resource.

In his new book, Jean-Dominique Giuliani, the Foundation's chairman, freely addresses his fellow citizens, who must refuse to accept the lies about the European Union while at the same time contributing tirelessly to its improvement. For in Europe, it is always the ideas of the Great Nation that lead the way: Europe is something more for France and the French, nothing less. This book, published by Marie B, is available in paper format on the Foundation's website and in bookshops. Order your copy now!

As part of the "Fabrique Défense" the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale organised a video conference on 26th January in collaboration with EuroDéfense-France on the development of a strategic compass for the European Union which you can watch online.

In response to the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU has set up a €672.5 billion recovery fund, called the Recovery and Resilience Facility, for Member States in the form of grants and loans. 22 plans have so far been approved by the Commission and the Council, and 20 countries have received the planned pre-financing. On 26 January, the Commission approved the request for a first payment of €7.4 billion to France, which has met a first set of targets. The Commission has not yet approved the Hungarian and Polish plans due to breaches of the rule of law. The Foundation offers you an interactive map of the plans country by country, showing figures, timetables and priorities.

From 24 to 27 January, 14 French ministers presented the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council to 12 parliamentary committees and debated with MEPs

The ministers for higher education, research and innovation, meeting in Paris on 24 and 25 January, discussed the need for European higher education to transform so that it can meet the challenges of the future. They emphasised the international dimension of European policies in higher education, research and innovation, and the importance of cooperation with third countries. They discussed the strengthening of cooperation between universities in Europe, and committed themselves to facilitating alliances between universities.

On 26 January, the Council adopted its position on the proposal for a universal standard connection port for all electronic devices. This measure will allow the harmonisation of charging interfaces and fast charging technologies. It is intended to contribute to the reduction of electronic waste. The Council added an annex to the proposal with a view to improving consumer information, in particular through the introduction of pictograms and labels.

On 25 January, the Ministers for European Affairs held a debate on the legislative package to ensure free and fair elections and to make the digital world more accountable. They also exchanged views on the first series of recommendations from the citizens' panels of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The Ministers of Education and Youth met on 27 January in Strasbourg. As a follow-up to the European Youth Conference, and in the framework of the European Year of Youth, young delegates were invited to participate in the ministers' debate on youth civic engagement.

On 26 January, the EU requested WTO consultations with Egypt to resolve a dispute over Egypt's mandatory import registration requirements. Indeed, since 2016, the Egyptian authorities have required registration on many agricultural, food, cosmetic and textile products, which has led to a 40% drop in EU exports to Egypt.

From 23 February to 8 May, the Courtauld Gallery in London will be presenting 16 self-portraits by Van Gogh, including the Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear from its collections. The exhibition traces the development of the painter's style in this personal exercise.

Until 3 March, 14 young Greek artists are presenting their paintings, sculptures, videos and installations at the Steinzeit Gallery in Berlin, based on the word "viral", which refers to both the digital world and the health context. The exhibition focuses on the interconnection of people and the search for alternative ways of living.

Until 31 March, the Municipal Museum in Rijeka is holding an exhibition devoted to the early artistic career of Gustav Klimt. The exhibition presents nine paintings created for the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb by Gustav Klimt, his brother Ernst, and their friend Matsch.

The National Art Museum of Romania (MNAR) is organising four exhibitions devoted to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Theodor Pallady, one of the most important Romanian artists. The exhibition includes more than 100 graphic works.

The works of Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen are on display at the Uffizi Museum in Florence until 20 March. Some thirty sculptures and paintings devoted to the theme of hybridity coexist with the masterpieces of the Florentine museum, such as Caravaggio's Medusa or the self-portraits of Rembrandt and Rubens.

The Bancaja Foundation in Valencia is offering an exhibition until the 7th of July on the three great Valencian painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Pinazo, Sorolla and Mongrell. The exhibition allows us to understand the different artistic trends in the region around 1900.