On 13th October next the Poles will be renewing the members of both houses of Parliament (460 MPs and 100 Senators). According to the most recent polls, Law and Justice (PiS) presently in office is due to win 42.4% of the vote, ahead of the Civic Coalition (KO) with 22.7%, Lewica (The Left), 13.1%; the Polish Coalition, 5.6%. However the electoral campaign might yet change the situation. One thing is certain however: the PiS must take care not to believe that victory is guarantee already.

The President elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen presented her team and the structure of the new college on 10th September. The Commission will comprise 14 men and 13 women as well as three Executive Vice-Presidents and 5 Vice-Presidents. Its priorities are: the European Green Deal, a Europe fit for the digital age, an economy that works for people, which protects our European mode of life, a stronger Europe in the world and a new dynamic for European democracy. The Commissioners designate will appear before the European Parliament as of 30th September according to a timetable adopted on 12th September.

On 12th September the Council extended the sanctions for a further six months until 15th March 2020 due to breaches or threats made to Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. These measures comprise the freezing of assets and travel restrictions. They are presently applicable to 170 people and 44 entities.

On 10th September the Union's Court of Justice cancelled an exemption regime granted by the European Commission enabling Gazprom to increase the volume of gas supplied by the Opal pipeline. Opal connects the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the North of Germany to the Czech Republic, thereby circumnavigating Ukraine and Poland. The Court agreed with Poland which deems that the Commission's decision breached the principle of energy solidarity.

Klaus-Heiner Lehne was re-elected on 12th September as President of the European Court of Auditors by the institution's college, for a second mandate of 3 years which will start on 1st October. A German lawyer and former MEP he has led the Court, the guardian of the Union's finances since 2016.

The European Central Bank decided on 12th September to reduce the rate of its deposit facility (-0.5%) and to reactivate its asset purchase programme on the secondary markets (also called quantitative easing) to a total of 20 billion € per month as of 1st November. The aim is to encourage banks to lend more to businesses and to private parties and to counter inflation that is too low in the euro zone.

The new government of Wallonia that resulted after the elections on 26th May was sworn in on 13th September. Led by Elio di Rupo (PS) it comprises 8 members, including three women, from the Socialist Party, the Reform Movement (liberals) and Ecolo. An agreement was found between the three parties for the formation of a government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation led by Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR).

The French courts approved an agreement between the tax authorities and Google, which will pay a fine of 500 million € and 465 million € in taxes. This ends a four year process. The American giant, whose European HQ is in Ireland was accused of fraud because did not declare the turnover it had in France for the purpose of corporate tax and VAT, arguing that it did not have a stable establishment in the country.

On 9th September the President of Italian Council, Giuseppe Conte won the confidence of 343 MPs of the 606 who voted. He promised to commit his country to a "new era of reform" with a "political and social pact" in line with the majority agreement concluded between the 5 Stars Movement and the Democratic Party. He is counting on the support of the EU in terms of immigration, as well as on the flexible implementation of the Stability Pact so as not to impact work to revive growth in Italy. The Italian Senators voted in support of the government on 10th September 169 votes out of the possible 307.

In a declaration published on 10th September the countries of the Visegrad group - Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia - say they support the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. In their opinion the integration of the Balkans would enable a upkeep of political and economic stability that will benefit the Union.

On 11th September, under the pressure of the House of Commons, the British government published a document describing the most extreme scenarios in the event of a no-deal. The file called "Operation Yellowhammer", unveils the lack of the UK's preparedness in the event of a hard Brexit on 31st October: shortages, inflation, social tension are some of the consequences mentioned.

Ann Linde, the Swedish Foreign Trade and Nordic Cooperation Minister was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister on 10th September in replacement of Margot Wallström, who resigned on 6th September for family reasons. Anna Hallberg will be taking up Ann Linde's portfolio.

After the resignation of the former Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze on 2nd September the Georgian Parliament approved the new government led by Giorgui Gakharia on 8th September by 98 votes. This government notably includes two women Deputy Prime Ministers.

Since the change in government in June Moldova has "resolutely" advanced in the reforms to counter a downturn in democracy and the rule of the law in the country, deemed the Union in a report published on 12th September, in view of the EU-Moldova Association Council that will take place on 30th September.

In a report published on 11th September the anti-corruption working group at the Council of Europe (GRECO) deemed that Belgium had achieved "some progress" in the implementation of its recommendations to prevent the corruption of MPs, judges and prosecutors. It does note however that two of the 15 recommendations had been implemented "satisfactorily or addressed in a satisfactory manner" and that "12 had been partially implemented."

On 12th September in Brussels the European Commission and the World Health Organisation (WHO) organised the World Vaccination Summit. The aim was to step up global action to counter the spread of diseases and to advocate against the dissemination of false information about vaccines.

The euro zone recorded a trade surplus in July 2019 totalling 24.8 billion €, in contrast to +16.9 billion in July 2018, according to the first estimates published by Eurostat on 13th September. The European Union recorded a deficit of 0.1 billion €, in contrast to a surplus of 0.2 billion in July 2018.

In an analysis published on 12th September the European Court of Auditors deemed that the recent European Defence projects and the increase in funding "were not without risk in terms of results". It notes that several requirements have not yet been met regarding the existence of an effective planning process at EU level, the participation of the Member States, the effect on real capability requirements, and the governance framework as well as accountability.

During the month of September, especially from 13th until 22nd September, the European Heritage Days will be taking place in 50 signatory countries of the European Cultural Convention. Launched in 1985 these open days allow the general public to discover Europe's cultural wealth and raise awareness about the protection of cultural heritage. The 36th year highlights European "Arts and Amusements".