In view of the upcoming European elections, the Robert Schuman Foundation published a new version of the "Permanent Atlas of the European Union" which offers a comprehensive view of the Union, the euro zone and of each of its Member States and provides each reader with the most recent and most objective political and statistical information anytime anywhere. Available in paper and in digital form from the Foundation's site or from bookshops, it is an excellent idea for a Christmas present.

Meeting in Brussels on 13th and 14th December heads of State and government asked for work to continue on the next multi-annual financial framework in view of an agreement in the autumn of 2019. They said they were "concerned" about the escalation of violence in Ukraine and renewed sanctions against Russia. As 27 they confirmed that the withdrawal agreement concluded with the UK could not be renegotiated and recalled that the Irish solution would be a last resort if no other agreement was reached. They hoped for the rapid completion of the single market and the adoption of the Commission's proposals regarding the fight to counter disinformation. They also assessed the implementation of the migratory policy. They discussed the results of the citizens consultations, which they are to include in the preparation of the next strategic programme.

On 11th December the Commission gave news of the progress made in the construction of a real, effective Security Union since the European Council of last October. It recalled the positive progress made in terms of several proposals, notably the enhancement of Frontex or the deletion of on-line terrorist content, but it hopes that the Parliament and the Council will rapidly come to an agreement on urgent issues, such as the interoperability of information systems. The Commission asked the Member States to implement rapidly the measures adopted and insisted on the need to strengthen the Union's resilience.

On 12th December MEPs came to agreement on the EU's 2019 budget. On 11th December the Council approved it also. The agreement provides for 165.8 billion € in commitments (+3.17% in comparison with 2018) and 148.2 billion € in payments (+2.37%). Emphasis will be placed on employment and growth, youth, security and migration.

On 10th December the Parliament and the Council came to agreement regarding several measures that aim to improve cybersecurity. They introduce the first European cybersecurity certification system to guarantee cybersecurity standards on products and services marketed in the EU. The EU's Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) will have greater powers, notably to prepare the Union's response in the event of major cyberattacks.

The report on the partnership between the EU and Egypt between June 2017 and May 2018 published on 10th December by the European Union's External Action Service, points to the completion of the priority goals set for the period 2017-2020, adopted during an association council in July 2017, via regular political dialogue and bilateral visits. The report highlights the regional role played by Egypt, notably in view of its presidency of the African Union next year. It does show however that some challenges continue such as the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

On 11th December the Court of Justice deemed that the ECB's government debt acquisition by the national central banks on the secondary market was not breaking EU law. It was introduced in 2015 to stimulate inflation. The Court deemed that the ECB had not gone beyond its remit and that it was not infringing the ban on monetary financing: the programme is part of monetary policy, an exclusive EU competence and that it does not prevent the EU's States from undertaking a healthy budgetary policy. The Court stressed that another, more limited programme in volume or duration would have been less effective and slower in bringing the inflation rate close to 2%.

On 13th December the European Central Bank confirmed that its purchase of securities on the markets, i.e. quantitative easing (QE), implemented to support the economy and inflation since 2015, will come to an end on 31st December. It will continue to re-invest the interests on securities that have come to maturity "over a long period extended beyond the first rates increase." It maintained its key rates at the same level, which have not been increased since 2011.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe lay out measures announced by President Emmanuel Macron in a context of "economic and social emergency", so that each can live from his or her work in a better way. To an estimated cost of 10 billion €, the Commission states that it is following the impact of these measures on the public accounts closely and that it will give its assessment in the spring of 2019.

On 13th December the Irish Parliament adopted the bill legalising abortion. The text which provides for permission to abort under certain conditions and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, or if there is danger to the mother's "life" or if her health, was initially assessed by Parliament in October after a referendum in May during which 66% of the electorate supported the right to abortion. The bill must now be signed by the President.

Following an interview on 12th December with the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the Italian Council, Giuseppe Conte accepted the reduction in the government deficit planned for 2019 to 2.04% of the GDP against 2.4% in the previous budget to prevent the launch of an excessive deficit procedure. The citizen's wage and the reform of retirement pensions, on condition that some modifications are made will be maintained. Italy deems its proposal strong in view of the French deficit 2019 announced at 3.5% of the GDP and has asked the Commission to ensure fair treatment between countries. The latter will study the Italian proposal within the next few days.

On 17th December Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a bill to re-integrate the judges at the Supreme Court who had been forced to resign after a reform lowering the age of retirement. The signature came just hours after a ECJ decision asking for an "immediate suspension" of the reform for a second time. The Court gave a first decision on 19th October after an emergency complaint made by the Commission for breach of the rule of Union law.

British Prime Minister Theresa May won the vote of no-confidence brought against her on 12th December by the Conservative party in the House of Commons, 200 votes in support 117 against. To convince her MPs she said she was prepared to leave office before the general elections on 2022. But without a majority to ratify the withdrawal agreement of the country from the EU she had to delay the vote, planned for the 11th December in the Commons and will now have to convene this by 21st January at the latest. During the European Council in Brussels she achieved no concessions over the issue of the Irish border.

On 14th December the Swedish Parliament rejected the proposal made by the parliamentary leader 200 votes against 116 to appoint Stefan Löfven (SAP), the outgoing Prime Minister, for a new mandate. It is the second time since the elections on 9th September that he has been rejected by MPs. The leader of Parliament will take up discussions again with the heads of the parties, and notably the leader of the Moderate Party (M), Ulf Kristersson. In the event of two further rejections, further elections will have to be organised.

On 17th December the Commission suggested to extend equivalence for Swiss share trading venues for six months. This decision should help Switzerland complete its internal consultation until spring 2019 regarding the institutional framework agreement between the EU and Switzerland. The equivalence had only been agreed for a year, in expectation of the conclusion of a framework agreement under negotiation since 2014.

In a report published on 13th December the Group of State against Corruption of the Council of Europe (GRECO), concluded that Italy had made progress in preventing corruption in the judicial system, by satisfactorily implementing 3 of the 12 recommendations. GRECO insisted on the path that still had to be accomplished, notably the implementation of its recommendations regarding the prevention of the corruption of members of parliament.

On 15th December after two weeks of consultation a final declaration was established between the 196 participating countries at the 24th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24). This is to be the base of the implementation of the Paris agreement signed in 2015. It is the focus of a great amount of dissension notably regarding the transparency of work undertaken by the States.

In 2016 social protection spending in the EU lay at 28.2% of the GDP, down by 0.2 points in comparison with 2015, according to the most recent data published by Eurostat on 12th December. The two main sources of financing were social contributions and taxes with respectively 55% to 40% to all revenues. France (34%), Finland and Denmark (32%) lead in the ranking, whilst the weakest rates are to be observed in Romania, Latvia and Lithuania (15%). Old age and survivor pensions represent 46% of social protection payments in 2016, sickness and disability benefits total 37% and family allowances linked to housing and unemployment totals 18%.

According to a report by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights regarding discrimination and hate crime against people of Jewish confession in the EU published on 10th December, anti-semitism continues in the EU. Around 90% of respondents deem that anti-semitism is growing in their countries and a share of them even believes that is a problem, particularly on-line. Nearly 30% of those interviewed have been harassed over the past year and 80% do not report serious incidents to the competent authorities because they think it will serve no purpose. The Agency has asked Member States to take immediate, emergency steps, in cooperation with those affected.

From 20th December 2018 to 6th May 2019 the Palazzo Madama in Turin is hosting an exhibition on the life of two women who greatly influenced the development of artistic society and culture in Savoy from 1600 to 1700, Christine de France (1606-1663) and Marie-Jeanne-Baptiste of Savoie-Nemours (1664-1724).