Euractiv, a network of 15 on-line newspapers specialised in European policy and the effects they have nationally, launched its free iPhone application that is available in 9 different languages (French, German, English, Bulgarian, Polish, Spanish, Slovakian, Czech and Turkish). This application offers daily accesss to 50 publications according to various themes (energy, agriculture, industry, communities ...).

The leftwing opposition forces led by the Social Democratic Party (SD) won the general elections that took place in Denmark on 15th September. Together the four parties in the Red Bloc - the Social Democratic Party, the Social Liberal Party, the People's Socialist Party and the Unity List - won 50.2% of the vote and 89 seats in the Folketing, the only chamber in Parliament, ie +8 in comparison with the previous election on 13th November 2007, pushing ahead of the Blue Bloc - formed by the rightwing - the Liberal Party, the Danish People's Party, the Liberal Alliance and the Conservative Party - -which won 49.7% of the vote and 86 seats (-3). Although the Red Bloc's victory is undeniable, the left only won by a narrow majority. The formation of the next government may be difficult. The coalition led by Helle Thorning-Schmidt is effectively heterogeneous. Having succeeded in federating the Danish left and in winning the elections she is now due to become the first woman Prime Minister in Denmark's history.

According to a press release published on 14th September by the National Statistics Office the increase in the number of unemployed in the UK was 20,000 in August. From May to July the number of job seekers increased by 80,000 ie the highest quarterly increase in two years. At the end of July there were more than 2.5 million unemployed ie 7.9% of the working population.

On 15th September the European Commission said it believed that growth in the euro area would be 1.6% and that of the European Union 1.7% in 2011. This is a lower estimate, notably because of the UK's poor results. Moreover Eurostat said on the same day that the inflation rate in August was 2.5% in the euro area and 2.9% in the EU. This is higher than last year but stable in comparison with July.

Frontex, the EU's external border management agency will be enhanced; an inspector to ensure the respect of Human Rights will be appointed. On 13th September a wide majority of MEPs voted in support of this project that plans for Frontex to have more personnel and its own equipment; this agency will therefore be more effective and independent of the Member States. Moreover a code of conduct will be set out and an inspector will guarantee the respect of Human Rights during border controls.

During the General Affairs Council on 12th September the Foreign Ministers of the 27 Member States discussed the pluriannual financial framework 2014-2020. The text put forward by the Commission enumerates the spending limits for each area; it is a tool for budgetary austerity as well as a means to define priorities of action in the EU. Ministers also agreed on the creation of an agency to manage IT systems associated with visa requests and asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, the HQ of which will be shared between Tallinn (Estonia), Strasbourg (France) and Sankt Johann im Pongau (Austria). They also adopted a new Eurovignette directive that should improve air quality and the movement of traffic.

On 15th September the fourth summit between South Africa and the EU came to an end. Both sides discussed the fight to counter global warming and the need to come to a post-Kyoto agreement., the situation in Sudan and the importance of the G20 in the world's financial and economic cooperation. Cooperation between South Africa and the EU has moved forward in terms of development aid, trade, healthcare, Human Rights and exchanges in the areas of education and research.

In a decision delivered on 13th September the European Court of Justice rejected the idea that there should be an obligatory age limit on airline pilots. The court indeed said that the parameter of physical fitness was of course important but it could not be decided on by a predetermined age limit. As a result setting an age limit would only be useful to air safety indirectly and could not really be used as such.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron travelled to Libya on 15th September - firstly to Tripoli and then to Benghazi. During this visit, which is the first to be made by foreign leaders since the fall of Kadhafi, Mr Sarkozy said, as he addressed the crowd,"Friends of Benghazi, now we shall ask you one thing: we believe in a united Libya, not in a divided Libya," whilst Mr Cameron exclaimed, "Your town has been the inspiration for the entire world, you overthrew a dictator and you have chosen freedom."

In the election on 18th September in the Land of Berlin that is held at present by the Social Democrats, the SPD came out ahead with 28.3% of the vote, followed by the CDU led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel with 23.4% of the vote, the Greens, 17.6% and the Left (Die Linke), 11.7%. The Liberal FDP, a member of the government coalition federally has been ousted from the Berlin parliament because it did not reach the 5% threshold. We should note a breakthrough of the Pirate Party (8.9%).

On 16th September Elio di Rupo announced that he had come to an agreement with the 8 parties negotiating the Brussels-Hal Vilvorde (BHV) issue, which has been emblematic in the institutional stalemate that started after the last elections in June 2010, 462 days ago. The political parties agreed on the scission of BHV, but in compensation the inhabitants of these communities will be able to vote on Brussels' lists. Now negotiators will try to come to an agreement on the socio-economic chapter as well as the transfer of competence and the finance law. Moreover Yves Leterme, Prime Minister, announced that he would be joining the OECD as Deputy Secretary General at the end of 2011.

In Denmark the centre-left coalition led by Helle Thoring-Schmidt, former MEP, won the general elections on 15th September. This closely run victory (89 to 86 seats) that went together with a high turnout rate, has put an end to 10 years of centre-right government, but neither side has an absolute majority (90 seats). The formation of a minority government, as was the case with the outgoing government, is highly likely. Helle Thorning-Schmidt is due to become the first woman to occupy the post of Prime Minister in Denmark.

The Spanish economy and finance Minister announced on 16th September that Spain was going to re-introduce wealth tax on a temporary basis after suspending it in 2008; this measure should bring in around one billion euros and will affect 160,000 people.

On 14th September the Italian Parliament adopted an austerity programme totalling 54 billion euros. The plan intends to raise VAT by one point, taxes on property profits will also be raised from 12.5% to 20% except on State bonds; there will be a tax on income set at 3% as of 300,000 euro per annum and the fight to counter tax fraud will be stepped up.

On 13th September the President of the Latvia, Andris Berzins visited NATO's HQ and met the organisation's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. In a joint press conference the two men spoke of the future of cooperation between Latvia and NATO. They notably focused on the country's budgetary contribution to NATO, which President Berzins has reduced; they also discussed Latvia's participation in Afghanistan.

Romanian Prime Minister Emile Boc has delivered suggestions to both chambers of Parliament for the establishment of a European Affairs Ministry. The first proposal contains details of the organisation and missions of the latter. The second focuses on the appointment of Leonard Orban, former European Multilingualism Commissioner to head this ministry. The latter would be responsible both for Romania's relations with the EU and that of managing European funds allocated to Romania.

In a speech delivered at the London School of Economics on 14th September British Deputy Prime Minister responded to suggestions made by Foreign Minister William Hague, who said that UK should take advantage of the crisis in the euro area to renegotiate its relations with the EU. The important thing here is to see "how we can help the euro area avoid further turbulence" declared Nick Clegg. In his opinion it is also vital to "deepen and widen the single market."

On 17th September Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country is undertaking the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at present, delivered a draft membership text to his Croatian counterpart, Jadranka Kosor. Croatia completed its EU membership negotiations on 30th June - originally they were started in 2005; the country is now due to become the 28th EU member on July 1st 2013.

Turkish President Abdullah Gül is on a four day official visit to Germany during which the main issue addressed will be Turkey's membership of the EU. On 18th SeptemberPresident Christian Wulff declared that Turkey was a major partner for Germany after his meeting with Mr Gül.

The OECD published a report on 13th September "Views on Education" that show the importance of study in times of crisis. "Graduates from higher education have been far less likely to lose their jobs during the world economic crisis than those who left school without any qualifications." Governments must invest in education concludes the study: indeed this investment will be to their advantage long term - the more qualified are less likely to ask for unemployment benefit and they will put their competence to the benefit of their country.

On 16th September Eurostat published figures concerning the EU's external trade for July 2011. Although the euro area is in surplus of 4.3 billion euros there has been a slight contraction in comparison with last year; however the 27 EU countries reveal a deficit of 8 billion euros, up by 500 million in comparison with July 2010.

The Centre for Information and Research on Modern Germany has published an article by Hans-Helmut Kotz, Jan Pieter Krahnen, Christian Leuz and Helmut Siekmann: "Crise européenne. Plutôt que des Eurobonds, concevoir une 'Union de développement moderne". In this study the authors define a third way between blind solidarity and withdrawal, and advise on reconciling community solidarity with national responsibilities. They call for the identification and differentiation between problems that the euro area is facing: lack of liquidity, dubious solvency, etc ... Answers should enable the States to put structural solutions forward.

The new issue of the Review "Questions Internationales" published by the Documentation Française is devoted to Europeans and European identity. A variety of articles focus on Europe and its cultures, values, on the uncertain emergence of a European political community...

The Trajan markets in the centre of Rome are hosting an exhibition "Meet Design" until 13th October; it brings together work by major names in Italian design (the Distex chair by Gio Ponti, the Bali lamp by Bruno Munari), but also some avant-garde projects. The event is being organised on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Italian Unity combining "Antiquity and Modernity".