On 14 May, the European Court of Justice overturned the European Commission's decision to deny a New York Times journalist access to messages exchanged between Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of Pfizer. It found that the Commission had not provided a plausible explanation for the absence of the requested documents. The evidence provided by the journalist was sufficient to rebut the presumption that the messages did not exist.

For the first time, artist Ivana Kobilca's sketchbooks will be on display until 21 September at the National Gallery of Slovenia. These sketchbooks reveal the working methods of a pioneering Slovenian painter, from her studies in Munich to her spells in Sarajevo and Berlin. The exhibition features 14 original works, sketches and photographic studies, highlighting Ivana Kobilca's innovative use of the techniques of her time. The exhibition offers a rare insight into her creative process and artistic legacy.

The Muza Museum in Valletta is hosting an exhibition dedicated to artist Louisa Chircop and the female figure in Maltese art, 'Grotto Girl', until 29 June. Through an exploration of the historical, artistic and symbolic context, the exhibition questions the place of women in visual representation and the construction of national identity. The exhibition combines works of art, archives and new interpretations, offering a fresh look at a forgotten icon representing Maltese beauty.

The Print Gallery in Dublin is presenting the exhibition 'An Artist's Presence' until 14 September, focusing on the theme of artistic self-representation. The exhibition brings together works from the 18th to the 21st century, in which painters and draughtsmen appear themselves in their creations. Through self-portraits, studio scenes and distinctive styles, the exhibition questions the trace left by the artist in their work. It is a sensitive reflection on the visible or suggested presence of the creator in the face of the viewer's gaze.

To mark the centenary of his birth, the National Gallery of Athens is devoting a major retrospective to Panayiotis Tetsis, a major figure in post-war Greek art, until 31st October. The exhibition traces his artistic career through 160 works – paintings, engravings and watercolours – revealing his unique view of the world, marked by an obsession with light, colour and recurring motifs such as Hydra, markets and seascapes.

The exhibition 'Street Photography, Lee Friedlander, Joseph Rodríguez, Garry Winogrand' can be viewed until 12 October in the new photography rooms at the Ludwig Museum in Cologne. This exhibition is dedicated to three protagonists from two generations of street photographers: Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander and Joseph Rodríguez, who each have a unique approach to their art.

From 22 to 25 May, the Gawroński Villa in Warsaw will host the second edition of NADA Villa Warsaw, an event bringing together galleries from around the world. Organised by the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), this second edition will feature 50 contemporary art galleries from 15 different countries. The event aims to promote international artistic exchange and highlight Warsaw's importance as a major cultural centre.

From 23 to 25 May, the Piano City festival will take place in Milan with 278 concerts scheduled. The entire city will be transformed into a huge concert hall, including theatres, gardens, museums, public squares and even houses. Since 2011, this project has been bringing together artists, associations and the public around the art of music.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on 19 May in London for the first summit between the United Kingdom and the European Union since Brexit. The European and British leaders signed several agreements on this occasion: a security and defence partnership forms the core of the reset of relations between the two sides. It is accompanied by a commitment to cooperation in the form of a 'common agreement', the details of which are still to be negotiated in the coming months. They agreed to extend until 2038 a fishing agreement allowing European boats to fish in British waters and vice versa.

The mayor of Bucharest, pro-European independent candidate Nicusor Dan, won the presidential election in Romania on 18 May. He secured 53.60% of the votes cast in the second round, ahead of far-right candidate George Simion (AUR), who won 46.40% of the vote. Nicosur Dan made an incredible comeback of 30 points between the two rounds, benefiting from strong mobilisation among Romanians, particularly those living outside the country. He will succeed Klaus Iohannis, who served two terms and was therefore unable to stand for re-election, at the Cotroceni Palace, the official residence of the Presidents of the Republic of Romania.

Rafal Trzaskowski, candidate for the Civic Platform and mayor of Warsaw, came out ahead in the first round of the presidential election in Poland on the 18th of May. Winning 31.36% of the votes cast, he will face the Law and Justice Party (PiS) candidate Karol Nawrocki, who secured 29.54% of the vote, in the second round on 1st June. Turnout was 67.31%, slightly higher than in the first round of the previous presidential election on 28 June 2020 (+2.8 points).

The Democratic Alliance, a coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party (PSD), led by Luis Montenegro, and the Democratic and Social Centre/People's Party (CDS/PP) led by Nuno Melo, came out on top in Portugal's parliamentary elections on 18 May. The two parties together won 32.72% of the vote and 89 seats. The Socialist Party, the main opposition party, came second with 23.38% and 58 seats. Chega (Enough) (CH), a far-right party led by André Ventura, won 22.56% and 58 seats. Luis Montenegro is expected to be reappointed Prime Minister.

President Emmanuel Macron attended the 8th edition of the Choose France Summit, an annual economic gathering of industrialists, investors and business leaders from around the world, on 19 May at the Palace of Versailles. According to the EY barometer published on 15 May, France ranks as the most attractive country in Europe for international investors for the sixth consecutive year.

On 17 May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was in Rome, where he met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. During the meeting, they agreed on the need to combat irregular migration more vigorously. They agreed to hold German-Italian government consultations next year to cooperate on improving European policy. The Chancellor described Italy as an 'indispensable strategic partner'.

On the margins of the European Political Community summit in Tirana on 16 May, the leaders of six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom), together with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. They reiterated their unanimous support for Moldova's European integration and welcomed its commitment to democratic reforms and the rule of law. They pledged their support for the country's economic transformation and the protection of its democratic processes from external interference, in a difficult regional context.

On 18 May, numerous Ukrainian officials commemorated the 81st anniversary of the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Crimean Tatars, which lasted four decades. On this occasion, a documentary tracing the history of the Crimean Tatars was screened at the headquarters of the Crimean residence in Kyiv. On 18 May 1944, Stalin ordered the start of mass deportations of Tatars to gulags, claiming that they had collaborated with the Nazis. To date, several countries have recognised the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars as genocide.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass inaugurating his pontificate on 18 May. Several foreign delegations were present, along with more than 200,000 worshippers. The Pope described an open Church and outlined a path for building peace. Leo XIV issued an appeal for brothers and sisters suffering because of wars. The Supreme Pontiff received members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See on 16 May and shared his vision of papal diplomacy based on three guidelines: peace, justice and truth.