A large majority of the Italians said "no" (59.11%) to the draft reform of the Constitution that had been put to them by the President of the Council Matteo Renzi (Democratic Party PD), which aimed to strengthen the country's political stability and to facilitate decision making.

On 30th November the European Commission presented measures that aim to prioritize energy efficiency, achieve the lead position in the world in terms of renewable energies and offer fair conditions to consumers.

On 1st December the European Commission put forward measures that aim to improve the conditions governing VAT for online traders in the EU. Its proposals will enable consumers and businesses to buy and sell online goods and services more easily.

Following the Council's approval, in turn MEPs approved the 2017 budget, 438 votes in support, 194 against and 7 abstentions. It provides support to young unemployed, SMEs, transport infrastructure projects, research and student mobility via Erasmus+.

On 1st December MEPs gave the green light to an agreement negotiated between the EU and the US in order to provide better guarantees regarding personal data exchanged between US and European police and judicial authorities.

The next session of Parliament will be taking place from 12th to 15th December. It will be an opportunity for the groups to appoint their candidate for the Presidency of the European Parliament (voting will take place on 17th January). The Franco/German candidate Alain Lamassoure has a good chance of winning on behalf of the leading group, the EPP.

On 28th and 29th November the 28 Ministers responsible for competitiveness reached agreement on the new rules that aim to stimulate e-trade. They mentioned the new space strategy and took steps designed to help young researchers and to strengthen the attractiveness of scientific careers.

On 2nd December the European Union and Georgia noted the significant progress made by the latter in view of its European aspirations and the joint goal of continuing to build a democratic, stable, prosperous country.

On 1st December Transport Ministers adopted new civil aviation rules which will also apply to drones. On 2nd December ministers responsible for telecommunications opened the way for the total suppression of roaming fees applicable to consumers in 2017.

In a press release published after their meeting on 5th December the Euro Zone Finance Ministers noted that Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands could "use their favourable fiscal situation to strengthen their domestic demand and their growth potential, depending on the situation of each one and according to their own national rules and obligations." According the president of the Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Euro Zone Finance Ministers might grant Greece relief in terms of its debt but they will not launch a major "alleviation" operation.

On 5th December the Council held a debate on the draft regulation on measures to guarantee gas supplies. A compromise was found on the main issues: regional cooperation, information exchange regarding commercial gas contracts and solidarity.

On 1st December the Tunisian President met the Presidents of the Parliament, the Council and the Commission in Brussels. They maintained the need to strengthen the EU's support to Tunisian democracy.

On 30th November Frontex called on the 28 EU countries to provide sailors and policemen to form the first multi-national teams to be deployed at the beginning of 2017, a crucial stage in the transformation of the European agency into a true coast/border guard.

On 2nd December the 22 Member States of the European Space Agency came to agreement on the Europe's future space programmes and adopted a 10.3 billion € budget covering the period 2017-2021.

For the first time under the V Republic a president in office has decided not to stand for a second term in office. "I have decided not to be candidate in the Presidential election to renew my mandate," declared French President François Hollande on 1st December as he spoke from the Elysée Palace.

On 29th November the heads of diplomacy of 15 countries of Central Europe and the Western Balkans met in Warsaw together with the High Representative Federica Mogherini. They re-iterated the wish to see the Balkan countries integrate the EU.

According to a study by Eurostat published on 1st December the unemployment rate in the EU lay at 8.3% in October 2016, ie its lowest rate since February 2009, and at 9.8% in October 2016 in the euro zone.

The emergence of China as a world economic power and its integration in the world order is one of the major challenges faced by Europe and the US at the start of this, the 21st century. This is one of the themes focused on in the report by Philippe Le Corre and Jonathan D. Pollack published by Brookings.

From 8th to 10th December the Festival of Light will be taking place in Lyon. For three days monuments and streets in the city will be decorated in various colours.

From 2nd December 2016 to 19th March 2017 an exhibition entitled "Nightfall" devoted to the Gothic world since Frankenstein is running at the Rath Museum of Geneva. There will also be a book, a seminar as well as screenings focused on the character Frankenstein.

The Craftsman's Fair is taking place in Milan until 11th December where it will be possible to buy, see and touch handmade products from the world over. On this occasion musical events, dance performances as well as cooking demonstrations will also be organised.