The death of Queen Elizabeth II symbolically closes the page of post-war Britain. As King Charles III succeeds her and Prime Minister Liz Truss takes office, a new era begins for the country, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani.

The gap between the left and the right in the Swedish parliamentary elections on 11 September is so small that the Electoral Commission has indicated that the results will not be known until 14 September. According to partial results, the right-wing forces, which include the Sweden Democrats (SD), the Moderate Party (M), the Christian Democrats (KD) and the Liberals (L), together won 49.63% of the vote and 175 seats. The left-wing forces, which include outgoing Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's Social Democratic Party (SAP), the Left Party (V), the Green Environment Party (MP) and the Centre Party (C), would win 48.88% of the vote and 174 seats.

This autumn the 2022 edition of the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union" is still available from Marie B. Editions. With contributions from European Commissioners and MEPs and the best experts, original maps and commented statistics, the Schuman Report analyses the challenges facing Europe and offers a complete view of the European Union. It is available in paper format on our website and in bookshops in French, as well as in digital version in French and English. Order it now.

The Defence Ministers, meeting in Prague on 29 and 30 August, discussed developments in the war in Ukraine and agreed to prepare for the establishment of a training mission for the Ukrainian army. They also discussed the strengthening of the European defence industry and capabilities. They also took stock of the situation in Africa, in particular Mali, and in the Western Balkans.

On 8 September, the Commission published its 3rd Environment Policy Implementation Review, which summarises the reports from the 27 Member States on the progress of EU environmental legislation. The Commission calls on Member States to ensure that more funding is available to cover the estimated €110 billion a year investment requirement in this area.

Representatives of the Parliament and of the Member States holding the Council Presidency between 2022 and 2024 have committed to working to conclude the legislative processes on migration and asylum policy reform before the European elections in 2024. The roadmap between the two institutions foresees that negotiations between them should start by the end of 2022 at the latest.

On 2 September, the ministers responsible for cohesion discussed the possibilities, benefits and future of cohesion policy, particularly in terms of promoting transition, resilience and local democracy.

The 7th meeting of the EU-Georgia Association Council took place on 6 September. The new 2021-2027 programme sets out common objectives, such as the pursuit of a free trade area (DCFTA) and Georgia's gradual economic integration into the single market. The EU welcomed Georgia's reforms, while underlining the remaining shortcomings regarding democracy, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and human rights.

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank decided on 8 September to raise its three key interest rates by 75 basis points, after a first increase in July. It says it will continue to raise rates in the coming months to reduce inflation risks. ECB President Christine Lagarde has warned of the risk of recession if Russian gas supplies are cut off completely.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended on 1 September the use of two vaccines with the Omicron variant of Covid-19. These vaccines, produced by Pfizer and Moderna, are intended for people over 12 years of age who have already been vaccinated, with the aim of strengthening their immunity. The Commission now has to authorise them under an accelerated procedure.

In a speech at Charles University in Prague on 29 August, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outlined his vision for the future of the European Union. In particular, he declared himself in favour of a Union of "30 or 36 members", and an end to the right of veto. He also called for long-term "economic, financial, political, humanitarian and military " support for Ukraine.

In a speech to the Ambassadors' Conference on 1 September, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the destabilisation of the international order caused by the Russian war in Ukraine and the rise of China. He defended the strategic autonomy of France and the European Union, and called for a European defence within NATO. He also called on diplomats to work for the influence and attractiveness of France.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was elected on 5 September as the new leader of the Conservative Party to replace Boris Johnson, with 57.4% of party members' votes, against former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak. She was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on 6 September to form a new government. She becomes the third woman to lead a British government.

The finalists for the Václav Havel Prize were announced on 6 September. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition figure arrested in April 2022; the Rainbow Coalition, a group of human rights and LGBTQIA+ organisations; and the Ukraine 5 AM Coalition, a group of Ukrainian human rights organisations. The winner will be announced on 10 October.

In its annual Employment Outlook published on 9 September, the OECD notes that 66 million jobs have been created in its member countries since the start of the post-Covid-19 recovery, more than the number of jobs lost due to the pandemic. But it is concerned about the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine and its consequences, particularly the rising cost of living. It calls for stronger collective bargaining and higher minimum wages.

In a paper published on 5 September, the International Monetary Fund calls on the euro area to reform its budgetary rules to reduce the risk of a debt crisis and increase flexibility in response to crises and investment needs. In particular, the IMF proposes the creation of a "fiscal capacity" financed by joint borrowing. It proposes to make budgetary rules more sensitive to the risk of each state's debt.

Annual inflation rose to 9.1% in the euro area in August from 8.9% in July, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat on 31 August. Energy prices rose by 38.3% year-on-year, compared with 39.6% in July.

According to the Eurobarometer survey published on 6 September, 47% of Europeans have a positive image of the European Union and 78% support the economic sanctions against Russia. Economic and energy issues are the main sources of concern at both EU and national level. 87% of citizens want the EU to invest more in renewable energy.

The State Aid Scoreboard, published by the Commission on 8 September, shows that the flexibility measures taken during the Covid-19 crisis supported businesses while maintaining a level playing field. In total, Member States mobilised €384.33 billion.

Until 2 January 2023, the Centre Pompidou in Paris is presenting a retrospective of Gérard Garouste, one of France's most uncompromising contemporary painters.