Michael Higgins (Labour Party), won the presidential election that took place in Ireland on 27th October winning 39.6% of the vote. He took the lead over independent candidate, Sean Gallagher, who won 28.5% of the vote. Sinn Fein candidate, Martin McGuinness, Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, came third with 13.7% of the vote. In fourth position came MEP Gay Mitchell, Fine Gael, the ruling party's candidate, who won 6.4% of the vote, followed by Dublin Senator, David Norris (independent), who won 6.2% of the vote and by the two other independent candidates, Dana Rosemary Scallon and Mary Davis, who each won 2.9% and 2.7% of the vote. Turnout totalled 56.10%. On 11th November Michael Higgins will become the 9th president of the Republic of Ireland succeeding Mary McAleese.

In the night of 26th to 27th October the 17 euro zone Heads of State and government came to agreement to save Greece and to stabilise the single currency. The private sector will cancel half of Greece's debt and, with the support of the EU and the IMF, the country should succeed in reducing its debt to 120% of the GDP by 2020. Details of the second aid programme to a total of 100 billion euros over the period 2012-2014 will be set by the end of the year. To prevent contagion the Stability Fund will be strengthened to a total of 1000 billion euros. The banking sector will be strengthened and recapitalised and 9% of the capital will now be guaranteed. In an effort to share in debt reduction, Italy has promised to make structural reforms to achieve a balanced budget by 2013; the European Commission will ensure the surveillance of the measures undertaken.

On 26th October the Bundestag (lower chamber of Parliament) approved the strengthening of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). 503 MPs of the 596 votes cast, agreed to stepping up the EFSF's capability. This decision came just hours before the start of the euro zone summit. German MPs also appointed on the same day, a special 9 member committee responsible for responding rapidly to European requests. However on 28th October the German Constitutional Court placed its veto on the implementation of this mini-committee. This is a protective measure whilst the Court's final decision still has to be delivered.

Italian head of government, Silvio Berlusconi, promised to put forward the main outline of a growth recovery plan by 15th November. In a letter sent to the presidents of the Commission and the European Council before the euro zone summit took place he said he wanted the Italian government to achieve budgetary balance by 2013 in to reduce its debt to 113% of the GDP by 2014. The Italian government is planning to introduce a golden rule into its Constitution. The growth plan will focus on four main points that will be implemented over the next eight months: liberalising the Italian economy by opening markets up to the competition; supporting business and innovation thanks to fiscal breaks, reforming the labour market, notably with a "new regulation governing redundancy for economic reasons in pemanent work contracts," and finally modernising the civil service.

On 27th October Ratings agency Standard&Poor's downgraded the Cypriot rating from "BBB+" to "BBB". The reason for this was the Cypriot banking system's significant exposure to the Greek debt. Analysts say that the recapitalisation of several banks will be necessary following the euro zone summit's decision to increase the private sector's contribution to the rescue plan for Greece. The ratings agency also announced that the country's public finances might deteriorate further over the next few months.

According to figures published on 26th October by the Employment Ministry, the number of job seekers without any work at all rose in September by 0.9% to 2.780 million people: this is the highest rise since January 2000. If all of those working part time are included the total number of people looking for work lies at 4.175 million (+0.7%) ie +27,600 in comparison with August +130,000 since the start of the year. The number of long term unemployed (more than one year) has also risen (0.7%) over the month of September and by 7.7% over one year.

Unemployment in Spain started to rise again in the third quarter to reach 21.52%, its highest level since the end of 1996 - this is a catastrophic result for the government just three weeks away from the general election on 28th November. The symbolic threshold of 5 million unemployed has nearly been reached; it lay at 4.978 million at the end of September, in comparison with 4.83 million at the end of June (20.89%). Spain continues to hold the sad record of the highest unemployment rate in the industrialised countries.

The autumn plenary session of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Community gathered on 26th to 28th October. The meeting focused on the theme of "the financial crisis and the future of European integration". The bishops called on European leaders to adopt a long term outlook to overcome the crisis. They adopted a declaration on the social market economy entitled "A European Community of Solidarity and Responsibility" that will be published in January 2012.

On 25th October the European Commission announced measures to counter the trade in dangerous synthetic drugs. The number of new, illegal drugs is on the increase (one new drug per week on average) and purchase of these over the internet is difficult to fight. 5% of young Europeans say they have already used these. Since measures in different States are less effective and in virtue of the EU's new competences in this area after the Lisbon Treaty, the European Commission will draw up new legislation to fight the production, trade and sale of these drugs over the next few months - the new laws will also apply to the ingredients used to make the drugs, announced Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the Justice Committee. This communication came in the same week as the adoption by Justice and Interior Ministers of a pact against synthetic drugs.

MEPs awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to five Arab Spring militants on 27th October. The prize will be given on 14th December in Strasbourg by the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, to Mohamed Bouazizi (Tunisia) - a posthumous title - to Asmaa Mahfouz (Egypt), Ahmed Al-Zubai Ahmed Al-Sanusi(Libya), Razan Zeitouneh (Syria) and Ali Farzat (Syria). Since 1998 the Sakharov Prize has been awarded yearly by the European Parliament to people or organisations that have defended Human Rights and democracy.

MEPs have deplored the conviction of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. In a resolution adopted on 27th October they expressed their disappointment at the trial, which has been deemed political in nature. MEPs are accusing the government of abuse of legal power and criticise the infringement of rights of several former Ministers. According to the European Parliament this study is threatening the conclusion of an association agreement between the EU and Ukraine.

On 25th October MEPs pointed to the importance of coordinated, international governance in order to overcome the present crisis. They asked the various international organisations involved and their Member States to cooperate better together. In the resolution that was adopted, MEPs call on G20 summit participants to come to a common position on a world tax on financial transitions on 3rd and 4th November in Cannes. The resolution also asks for a more political and independent IMF that will play a major role in world economic governance. MEPs ask the Basel Committee, responsible for the surveillance of the banking system, to encourage banks with a major systemic risk to raise their own funds.

MEPs decided to enhance the EU's powers in the fight against organised crime by adopting a resolution making it even more difficult for Mafia-like organisations to access public markets; it will also make life for pedophiles more difficult as a report increasing the prevention and repression of this scourge was adopted. This notably applies to pedo-pornography. MEPs plan to create a parliamentary committee, as well as to appoint a European Prosecutor, who will follow cases linked to organised crime across Europe more closely.

On 25th October MEPs asked the Member States to facilitate the mobility of workers within the EU. The resolution that was adopted asks them notably to put forward solutions to overcome linguistic difficulties, and also to put an end to any possible qualitative and quantitative quotas. The project notably aims to open the entire European labour market to Bulgarian and Romanian citizens who still face many obstacles.

On 27th October MEPs adopted six reforms to the asylum package. These changes notably aim to protect migrants who do not have refugee status by granting them the same rights as everyone else in terms of access to work, education, healthcare and housing.

Pope Benedict XVI denounced religious terrorism and its "unrelenting cruelty" as he spoke to three hundred relgious dignitaries from around the world on 27th October. The pope re-iterated the apology originally made by Jean-Paul II for the violence undertaken by Christians. The religious dignitaries also express their solemn commitment to peace and denounced wars delivered in the name of their faith. During the final ceremony the Pope delcared "no more violence, no more war, no more terrorism! In the name of God, let all religions bring the earth justice, peace, forgiveness and life, love!"

On 25th and 27th October Eurostat published figures presenting education trends between 2000 and 2009, as well as ways of life in the EU. It emerges from these studies that in 2009 the number of children per school class varies greatly between 10 and 20 per teacher, the average being around 15. In France this figure is one of the highest. Moreover a second study shows that nearly three children in four live with married parents. The country with the most single parent families are the UK, Ireland, Estonia and Latvia.

On 28th October, Eurostat published figures showing a rise in household savings over the second quarter of 2011. The figure rose from 13.6% to 13.9% in the euro zone and from 11.9% to 12.6% in the EU. The household investment rate did however remain stable. Moreover, household disposable income increased by 0.5%, since increases in salaries were higher than the rise in prices.

On 28th October Eurostat published business investment figures for the second quarter 2011. This study shows a slight decrease for the euro zone in comparison with the previous quarter down to 20.9% (less than 0.1%), but an increase in the EU overall, to 20.3% (0.3% more). Moreover, in the euro zone, the share of company profits remained stable: value added and wage burden had experienced a comparable increase.

In October inflation lay at 3%, as in the previous month, according the first estimates published on 31st October by Eurostat. This figure is above market expectations that were counting on a decline in inflation to 2.8% or 2.9%.

The unemployment rate in the euro zone rose to 10.2% of the working population in September, its highest, historical rate, slightly over the 10.1% recorded in August, according to data published on 31st October by the European Statistics Office, Eurostat. It had already reached this record level in June 2010 said Eurostat. This means that unemployment has been at 10% for five months running.

The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) has published a study on the issues at stake in the next G20 summit. The European debt crisis has become a world problem because of the increased inter-dependency of our economies. The authors stress the diverging approaches adopted by States to emerge from the crisis. In spite of these differences, the G20 represents a forum to exchange opinion and is a major element for cooperation between States.

The Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) Foundation has published a report on debt in the euro zone; it also provides an assessment of the stabilisation measures, notably the EFSF (Dealing with Debt Crisis in the Euro Zone - Evaluation and Limits of the European Stability Mechanism). The two authors, Sebastien Dullien and Daniela Schwarzer pinpoint the problems linked to liquidity and solvency.

With "Paul Klee Polyphonies" the Cité de la Musique in Paris is offering the public a monographic exhibition devoted to one painter. Among the most important artists of the first half of the 20th century, Paul Klee (1879-1940) distinguished himself by his longstanding love of music. He was a professional-level violinist. The relationship between painting and music is a complex one. Paul Klee thought a great deal about the links between the two art forms. Bringing together more than a hundred works of art lent by both public and private collections, the exhibition is being held in partnership with the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern. It is on show until 15th January 2012.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna is devoting an exhibition to the winter season until 8th January : "Wintermärchen" (Winter Tales). The exhibition brings together works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder; Rembrandt, Francisco de Goya, Caspar David Friedrich, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Anselm Kiefer and Peter Paul Rubens.

The European Commission is encouraging Member States to step up their work to ensure the digitisation of the greatest possible number of cultural objects (books, paintings, photos, films ...) designed to feed the digital library Europeana: http://www.europeana.eu/portal/. The Commission's goal is for 30 million objects to be recorded in the digital library by 2015 instead of the present 19 million.

Leornardo da Vinci and Michelangelo face to face: this the offer made to the public in the exhibition "Leornardo and Michelangelo, masterpieces and Roman studies" at the Museums of the Capitole. The exhibition is showing 66 works by the two Renaissance masters until 12th February - starting with the drawings of both men, before looking into their respective Roman activities.

From 27th October to 4th November, the Parco della Musica, designed by architect Renzo Piano, is hosting the 6th edition of Rome's international film festival. Entitled "Cinema-the International Festival of Rome", the festival is jointly being organised by the town hall of Rome, the chamber of commerce and the province of Latium. It is putting on previews, exhibitions and gala evenings. During the closing ceremony on 5th November the Marc'Aurelio prize will be given.