This autumn, it is worth reading the new edition of the 'Permanent Atlas of the European Union' published by Marie B. This book reflects the latest political and economic changes in the European Union and its Member States. Using more than 50 maps, texts and thematic sheets, the Atlas summarises the essential history and political and statistical realities of the Union. It is available in hard copy in bookshops and on our website, and in digital format.

On 14 September, the Foundation organised an online debate on Germany and the federal elections of 26 September with Frank Baasner, Joachim Bitterlich and Hélène Kohl with the aim of analysing the issues at stake in the elections and outlining the country's political future with a new chancellor and a new government coalition.

On 26 September, Germans will vote to elect their MPs and indirectly choose who will succeed Angela Merkel after 16 years in the Chancellery. To understand what is at stake in these decisive elections for Germany and the European Union, here you can find the Foundation's publications and the debates we are organising around this election, as well as our interventions in the media and resources on the programmes of the contending parties.

Outdoor masks have not been mandatory in Portugal since 13 September. In Austria, since 15 September, unvaccinated people must wear FFP2 masks in transport, shops and cultural venues, and antigen tests are only valid for 24 hours. From 25 September, in the Netherlands, the 1.5 metre distance will no longer be compulsory but a health pass will be introduced in bars, restaurants and cultural venues. In Italy, the health pass will be extended to all workplaces from 15 October. To follow the development of the situation and to understand the conditions of entry in the different EU Member States, the Foundation offers you a complete map of the measures in place. An indispensable, regularly updated resource.

In Paris from 15 to 17 September, the opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called on France and the international community to work towards a dialogue in Belarus and to find a solution to the crisis. To follow the crisis sparked by the rigged presidential election of August 2020, the Foundation offers you a chronology of events and links to European responses and initiatives.

At the invitation of the Institute for Applied Geopolitical Studies (EGA), Pascale Joannin, Managing Director of the Foundation, will speak at a videoconference on 22 September on "How to make the European Union a realistic power?

On 15 September, the Commission presented an implementation plan for digital transformation by 2030, with objectives centred on skills, infrastructure, digital transformation of businesses and public services. The plan sets out a new governance framework based on a cooperation mechanism with Member States.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 15 September. She announced an investment of €50 billion by 2027 to prepare for and counter future pandemics, a doubling of EU funding to protect biodiversity worldwide, as well as increased funding for international climate action. She also announced a forthcoming EU semiconductor law and a European defence summit to be held during the French EU Presidency in 2022.

On 16 September, the Commission presented a series of recommendations to Member States to strengthen the safety of journalists and other media professionals, through the creation of independent national support services, hotlines, as well as access to legal advice, psychological support and accommodation. It stressed the importance of providing specific support to women journalists, who are particularly vulnerable to threats and attacks.

On 17 September, the Commission established the European Health Emergency Response and Preparedness Authority (HERA) to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to health emergencies. The aim is to support research and innovation on the development of new medical countermeasures. HERA will have a budget of €6 billion and should be fully operational by early 2022.

In a resolution adopted on 14 September, MEPs called on the Commission to improve dialogue and take into account the local interests of the EU's outermost regions (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Guiana, Madeira and the Azores, and the Canary Islands), in particular through the creation of a specific committee. They also approved a Council draft on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union.

The €5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve to help Member States cope with the consequences of the UK leaving the EU was approved by the Parliament on 15 September. The sum will be allocated gradually to Member States until 2025, taking into account the size of their trade with the UK, the extent of their fisheries in the UK's exclusive economic zone and the populations living in regions bordering the UK. The text still needs to be formally approved by the Council.

On 15 September, MEPs adopted a reform of the EU Blue Card Directive, which sets out the conditions of entry and residence for third-country nationals, with a view to facilitating the employment of highly skilled immigrants. A 6-month contract or job offer will be sufficient to obtain the card, and the minimum wage threshold will be lowered. Beneficiaries of international protection will be able to apply for a Blue Card in Member States other than the one in charge of their protection. The text must now be approved by the Council.

On 16 September, MEPs called on the EU and Member States to provide a coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. They call for the evacuation of EU citizens and Afghans under threat to be facilitated by the creation of humanitarian corridors and support from neighbouring countries. They also call for the establishment of an asylum policy that would include a special visa programme for Afghan women fleeing the Taliban regime.

On 16 September, MEPs called for a reduction in the EU's energy dependence on Russia and a strengthening of dialogue with China, pointing to violations of democratic values and human rights by both countries. They recommend continuing sanctions against Russia for its destabilisation of the European political order and call on China to allow an independent investigation into the origins and spread of the COVID-19 virus.

On 14 September, MEPs adopted amendments to the regulation on serious cross-border health threats, stressing the importance of cooperation between Member States and with EU agencies, the protection of personal data and the safeguarding of the proper functioning of the single market in times of crisis in order to deal with future pandemics.

MEPs called on 16 September for workers on digital platforms such as meal delivery services to be given the same social protection as other workers. MEPs are calling for a more protective social contributions and liability regime.

The first of four citizens' panels organised in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe was held in Strasbourg from 17 to 19 September. The participants, selected to represent the whole population of the Union, discussed topics related to the economy, social justice, employment and digital transformation. The panels will continue over three weekends. The resulting recommendations will be debated by the Parliament in December. All Europeans can contribute to the debates on the conference platform.

On 16 September, MEPs once again condemned the systemic violations of the rule of law in Poland. In particular, they denounced the adoption on 11 August of a law limiting the independence of the media and called on Poland to respect the rule of EU law.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his government on 15 September. Criticised for his inaction in the Afghan crisis, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab became Justice Secretary and was replaced by Liz Truss. The ministers of Education and Housing were also replaced.

The Commission against Racism and Intolerance called on the 47 member states of the Council of Europe on 14 September to take action in the following four areas: institutional coordination policies; prevention and education; protection of Jews, Jewish communities and their institutions; prosecution and law enforcement.

On 17 September, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted decisions and resolutions concerning the implementation of judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights by member states. France was warned about overcrowding in its prisons and poor conditions of detention. Other resolutions were also adopted, in particular on the damage committed by Turkey in Cyprus and in Romania.

The Musée du Luxembourg in Paris is exhibiting previously unseen photographs and films by the Franco-American artist Vivian Maier until 16 January 2022. In the streets of New York and then Chicago, the photographer captured the changes in American society from the 1950s onwards. Discovered after her death in 2009, Vivian Maier's street photographs offer a new perspective of the other side of the American dream.

Until 30 October, the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw presents "Did you know that a rainbow glows in the dark?", an exhibition bringing together works by contemporary artists since 1989 to tell the story of Poland's transformation through the representation of issues such as the climate crisis, social division, inequality, migration or changes in information.

Until 26 September London is hosting its Design Festival, a series of free installations and exhibitions to promote the creativity of the world's leading designers.

From 24 to 26 September, the international contemporary art fair will be held in Basel, Switzerland. Art Basel offers an overview of contemporary art from all over the world with no less than 4,000 artists from 35 different countries.

The 25th edition of the George Enescu International Festival takes place until 26 September in several theatres and emblematic cultural venues in Bucharest. Classical music, contemporary music and jazz meet in a multitude of events around the theme "History made with love".

Until January 16, 2022, the Prado Museum in Madrid is devoting an exhibition to 40 years of donations from the Fundación Amigos del Museo del Prado, bringing together for the first time these works, including paintings by Fra Angelico and Goya.