Direction-Social Democracy (SMER-SD) of outgoing Prime Minister Robert Fico came out ahead of the general elections on 5th March in Slovakia but it failed to win a majority (28.28% and 49 seats - 34 less than last time). Freedom and solidarity (Sloboda and Solidarita, SaS) came second with 12.1% (21 seats - 10 more than last time), followed by OL'aNO and NOVA which won 11.02% and 19 seats together. The National Party (SNS) took fourth place with 8.64% and 15 seats (+15) and the People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) 8.04% (14 seats). SME-Rodina won 6.62% (11 seats), Most-Hid 6.5% and 11 seats (-2) and SIET 5.6% and 10 seats. In all 8 parties will be represented in Parliament. Given this fragmentation what might the future government coalition be?

The third edition of the Atlas of the European Union is a reference work which presents the Union, its institutions, each of its 28 Member States and a new feature - their overseas territories - via their history, their culture and their reality.

On 2nd March the Commission put forward the implementation of a new emergency aid tool regarding the migratory crisis which should enable the EU to respond more rapidly and thereby support Member States in the management of refugee flows.

According to Eurostat figures published on March 1st unemployment lay at 8.9% in January 2016 in the EU and at 10.3% in the euro zone. This is the lowest rate in the EU since May 2009 and in the euro zone since August 2011.

On 29th February, as part of the exchange of information between the US and the EU, the Commission presented its measures for the protection of personal data.

On 2nd March after the conference between the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada, Andrej Plenkovic (EPP, HR) announced an agreement aiming to improve the quality of the legislative process at the Ukrainian Parliament.

The 28 Environment Ministers assessed the action plan in support of the circular economy, they discussed the follow up to the Paris Agreement on climate change and stressed the importance of defining the scientific criteria regarding endocrine disruptors.

At the end of the EU/Turkey Summit the heads of State and government came to agreement on the following points: the return of illegal migrants leaving from Turkey travelling to the Greek islands; the resettlement of Syrians in the EU Member States and an acceleration in EU/Turkey discussions (roadmap for the liberalisation of visas, financial aid of 3 billion euro, the opening of EU membership negotiation chapters).

According to figures published on March 3rd requests for European patents by Asian and US businesses rose sharply in 2015 thereby contributing to a new filings record in Europe.

For the first time since the 1970's France has lost its place as Germany's lead trade partner to the benefit of the USA, indicated the Federal Statistics Office on 2nd March.

On 2nd and then 4th March the Spanish Parliament rejected the investiture of the socialist candidate Pedro Sanchez. The leader of the PSOE needed an absolute majority 176 votes on 2nd, then the simple majority on 4th, but he only won 131 against 219.

During the 34th Franco-British Summit that took place on 3rd March in Amiens, the British Prime Minister David Cameron promised to release €22 million to help France in its management of the migrants in Calais.

Seven countries (Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Turkey) want to build a road "Via Carpatia" linking Lithuania to Bulgaria according to a joint declaration signed on 3rd March in Warsaw.

On 3rd March the Netherlands, France, UK signed the North Sea Resources Roundabout (NSSR) agreement with businesses to facilitate the trade of raw materials that result from the incineration of waste and to develop the circular economy.

On 29th February Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she hoped that the referendum on 23rd June would enable the UK to remain in the EU. In the event of the contrary this decision would not be in Scotland's interest.

On 4th March Serb President Tomislav Nikolic dissolved the Serbian Parliament and convened early general elections on 24th April.

On 29th February during a speech to the UN Security Council, Frank-Walter Steinmeier declared that the OSCE's role was vital in light of the situation in Ukraine.

Eurobarometer published the poll on March 1st whereby overall trust of citizens in the EU remains higher than in the national authorities.

On 29th February and 2nd March the British government issued to reports on the possible Brexit which would take around take ten years and trigger a long process of renegotiation with the EU.

The exhibition of works by Salvador Dali is taking place at the TGV station of Liège-Guillemins until 31st August. Following a circuit of over 2000m2 visitors will find themselves immersed in the Spanish painter's alternative world.