With a turnout of over 50% and results which limit the influence of the extremes and strengthen the centre, the European elections 2019 are a message of confidence on the part of the citizens in Europe and a positive call made to their leaders and the whole world, writes the Chairman of the Foundation, Jean-Dominique Giuliani.

The Social Democratic Party led by Mette Frederiksen is forecast to win the general elections on 5th June next in Denmark, ahead of the Liberal Party of outgoing Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and the populists of the People's Party. Questions of health, retirement pensions, global warming are the main themes in the electoral campaign whilst we note a proximity between the right and the left over immigration.

The "Schuman Report on the State of the Union" 2019, a work of reference for European decision makers is available now. This year the renewal of the European institutions provides an opportunity for deep thought about the State of the Union, its chances of gaining more independence and influence in the international arena, thanks to the interdependence its has managed to create between its Member States. It brings together articles drafted by the best experts and offers 33 original maps which summarize the main European issues and a unique series of commented statistics. Order your copy now!.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the entry into force of the general data protection regulation (GDPR), on 25th May the Commission published the partial results of the special Eurobarometer. Nearly 6 in ten people in Europe know the GDPR and the newly created European Data Protection Board noted more than 400 cross-border cases. The full report will be published on 10th June.

The European Affairs Ministers met on 21st May to start preparations for the European Council that will take place on 20th and 21st June and during which Europe's leaders are to adopt the EU's strategic programme for the period 2019-2024. Ministers firstly discussed the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-2027, notably the Commission's proposal to integrate the European Development Funds into the EU's budget. It adopted two decisions modifying the composition of the Committee of Regions and the European Economic Committee, as well as the directive banning single use plastic products and a new regulation harmonising requirements applicable to fertilisers.

On 21st May the Commission published a report on the development of relations between the EU and Armenia over the past year -June 2018 to May 2019, ahead of the EU-Armenia Association Council that will take place on 13th June. The report maintains that Armenia is working in support of the partnership with the EU and is aware of the EU's potential role in the reform programmes in Armenia. The Union provided major support to the Armenian genearl elections of December 2018, and launched strategic dialogue regarding the judicial sector. Trade between the EU and Armenia also has increased by 15% over the last year and cooperation in the education sector has been stepped up.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, launched its first joint operation on 21st May in a neighbouring third country, Albania. As of 22nd May Frontex teams and Albanian coastguards are being deployed on the border between Greece and Albania to improve its security. This first joint operation follows an agreement signed with Albania in October 2018 and aims to strengthen border cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans. Similar agreements have been signed with North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. These might take effect within the next few months.

On 27th May Sebastian Kurz, the Austrian Chancellor of the European People's Party (ÖVP) and his government were ousted following a vote of no confidence by the Austrian Parliament supported by the Austrian Socialist Party (SPÖ), the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Jetzt List. This vote of no confidence is a further consequence to the "Ibiza Scandal" involving the former Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, in a corruption affair.

Local and regional elections took place at the same time as the European election on 26th May. In Madrid, the left party Mas Madrid came out ahead with 30% of the vote, but the right might take the townhall with the People's Party (24%) and Ciudadanos (19%). In Barcelona, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) came out ahead with 21% of the vote, against the Barcelona en comu party (20%), the Socialist Party of Catalonia (18%), Ciudadanos (18%) and the People's Party (5%). In the regional elections 12 regions out of 17 elected new MPs, like for example in Madrid where the PSOE won with 27% of the vote, against the People's Party (22%), Ciudadanos (19%) and Mas Madrid (14%).

On 26th May more than 40% of the Romanian electorate took part in the referendum convened by President Klaus Iohannis on the future of Romanian judicial system, thereby validating the required 30% turnout threshold. More than 80% answered "yes" to two questions that aimed to ban amnesties and pardons in corruption affairs, and to ban the adoption of emergency directives by the government in terms of offences and judicial organisation. The day after the referendum the head of the Social Democratic Party in office, Liviu Dragnea deemed to be the one behind the reform that Klaus Iohannis wants to ban, was finally sentenced to three and a half years in prison in a scandal of fictitious jobs.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced on 24th May that she would resign on 7th June because she had found it impossible to achieve the ratification of the UK's withdrawal areement from the European Union. To replace her the Conservative Party in office has to hold a congress. Seven candidates are now running, including the former Foreign Affairs Minister Boris Johnson, the former Brexit Minister Dominic Raab and the Environment Minister, Michael Gove.

The 42 OECD country members and partners officially adopted the first series of intergovernmental principles governing artificial intelligence (AI) on 22nd May. By doing this they pledge to respect international standards that aim to ensure the design of robust, safe, fair and trustworthy AI system.

From 1st June to 6th October on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, Chantilly museum is running an exhibition devoted to one of his most enigmatic works: Monna Vanna, the so-called Nude Mona Lisa.