MEPs adopted the Union's 2020 budget on 27th November. They were happy to have achieved an increase in revenues of 850 million € during negotiations with the Council and the Commission, to finance the climate, research, investment in infrastructures and youth. The budget was adopted by the Council on 25th November.

MEPs adopted a resolution on 28th November 429 votes against 225 declaring the climate and environmental emergency in Europe and across the world. They call on the Union to reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. They are also asking for the progressive abolition of direct and indirect subsidies made in support of fossil fuels by 2020.

The Committee for Civil Liberties at the European Parliament selected Pole Wojciech Wiewiorowski on 26th November to be the candidate for the post of European Data Protection Supervisor, whose mission it is to guarantee coherence in terms of personal data and private life protection. The Supervisor's term in office is five years.

MEPs approved the Commission presided over by Ursula von der Leyen on 27th November in Strasbourg 461 votes against 157 and 89 abstentions. In a speech given to MEPs the President called on the Union to "be a force of peace and positive change" and to commit to a "transformation process which will impact all components of our society and our economy."

The ministers responsible for competitiveness, who met on 28th and 29th November adopted a position on the directive that aims to provide legal tools to European consumers to defend their rights collectively. They encouraged the collaboration of entities responsible for the Copernicus programme with the European Global Navigation Satellite System to contribute towards a sustainable Arctic and adopted conclusions regarding the updated strategy for the bioeconomy.

Ministers responsible for transport who met on 2nd December adopted the Council's position aiming to strengthen travellers rights, particularly those with reduced mobility or the handicapped. They also adopted a position on permit-granting measures as part of the completion of the transeuropean transport network (RTE-T). Finally, ministers discussed "digital transport services for people, the future of the European Single Sky, as well as the promotion of substitute fuels.

The Interior Ministers who met on 2nd December discussed the future of the EU's migration and asylum policy based on a report prepared by the Finnish presidency. They received the Commission's intention to present a new, more global pact on migration and asylum positively. They also discussed the future of the Union's internal security as part of the next legislative cycle (2019-2024).

The ministers of the 22 member countries of the European Space Agency (ESA), met in Sevilla adopted a 14.4 billion € budget on 28th November to finance new programmes over the next five years, such as LISA, the first space observatory of gravitational waves, the first entirely flexible satellite systems, designed to be integrated into the 5G networks, or the "optique fibre in space." The previous budget adopted in 2016 totalled 10 billion €. Ministers were also told that the transition with the next generation of launchers - Ariane 6 and Vega C - will occur smoothly and they gave their green light to continuing the Space Rider project - ESA's reusable spaceship.

On 27th November the German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech during a general debate over the 2020 budget at the Bundestag. She stressed the importance of investments, without incurring any further debt. "We have not yet had a budget with this level of investment or one that is as high," she declared. She addressed questions regarding foreign policy, particularly NATO, European policy vis-à-vis China, the climate policy and the governance of the freedom of expression.

On 28th November French President Emmanuel Macron hosted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in preparation for the Alliance's summit on 3rd and 4th December in London. His previous comments about the NATO's "state of brain death" had been a warning. The priority is to think about strategic outcomes and goals. After the death of 13 French soldiers in Mali the two leaders called for greater involvement by the Allies in Sahel to counter terrorism.

In a report published on 27th November the OECD encouraged donor countries not to ignore their climate goals in their financing of development. The organisation points to the fact that only 20% of development aid was targeted at climate change between 2013 and 2017. Despite progress in this area, Secretary General Angel Gurria calls for a "total abolition of donations to fossil fuels" given the urgency of the situation.

According to a Eurobarometer study published on 29th November, 76% of European citizens support the euro, the highest rate since it was put into circulation in 2002 and a two-point increase in comparison with 2018. The single currency is supported by a majority of citizens in each of the 19 member countries of the euro zone. Likewise, a 65% majority of them believe that the euro, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year is beneficial to their country.

On 28th November the European Commission published its annual report on healthcare systems in the 28 Member States, as well as those in Norway and Iceland, which provides an in-depth analysis via the assessment of the health of the population and certain major risk factors, as well as the effectiveness, accessibility and resilience of these systems in each State.

On 28th November the Commission published recommendations by a group of experts for the contribution by industry in terms of the climate issue. These recommendations will contribute to the future European new green deal drafted by the Commission as well as the Union's industrial strategy. The Commission will now have to present them to the Member States, to the Competitiveness Council as well as the European Parliament at the beginning of next year.

According to the 2019 EIB report on investment published on 26th November, European businesses are increasingly pessimistic about their economic outlook. The report highlights the downturn in the Union's economy as well as the possible slowing in investments on the part of European businesses in 2020. Moreover, climate related investments are stagnating and are below those being made in the US and China. Finally the EIB deems that Europe is not taking advantage of the digital transformation and should step up the adoption of digital technologies in order to remain competitive.

Austrian contemporary artist Eva Grubinger is showing at the Belvedere in Vienna until 13th April 2020. In her installation "Malady of the Infinite" she explores the fundamental human impulses such as power, cupidity and desire.

On 27th November the European Parliament awarded the European Cinema Prize Lux to the film "God exists and her name is Petrunya" by North Macedonian film director Teona Mitevska. A co-production between North Macedonia, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia and France the film tells the story of a young woman who succeeds in opening up a religious tradition that is only open to men. According to the Parliament it contributes towards the feminist cause and to the fight to counter conservative societies.

Until 16th February 2020 around thirty of Amedeo Modigliani's works are on show at the Livourne Museum (Italy). It is an occasion to celebrate the centenary of the death of the Italian painter and sculptor in his home town.

Until 19th April 2020 the Sainsbury Gallery in London (V&A Museum) looks back over the history of the car and how this revolutionary invention transformed our societies, via many models and various objects.

Until 23rd February 2020 the musical and visual exhibition "Pierre and Gilles" is running at the Paris Philharmonic. This is an occasion to rediscover two major photographers of the 1980's who sublimed the portraits of the stars of numerous generations.