New, updated seat projection for the new European Parliament based on final and provisional results in 27 countries and estimates in one more: Provisional results 28-05  This new projection is based on: • Final results in 13 countries: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, UK. • Provisional results in 14 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, • National estimates from one country: Ireland Turnout estimates indicate a significant increase in...

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been a significant driver of employment growth in recent years, mainly through the creation of new firms, including in high-growth sectors such as information and communication technologies (ICT). But the new OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook highlights that most SME job creation has been in sectors with below average productivity levels, with SMEs typically paying employees around 20 percent less than large firms. While SMEs are more engaged in new organisational or marketing practices...

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On 25 May 2019, the General Data Protection Regulation will celebrate its first year of entry into application. To mark the occasion, Andrus Ansip, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market and Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, issued the following statement: “25 May marks the anniversary of Europe's new data protection rules, the General Data Protection Regulation, also widely known as the GDPR. These game-changing rules have not only made Europe fit for the digital age, they...

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May 17, 2019 A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic...

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To help keep track of the European election campaigns, the European Parliament Press service provides a daily newsfeed on country-specific electoral facts, events and debates in all member states.  Here is the update for 24 May: VOTING TODAY: Czechia and Ireland are going to the polls today, to elect 21 and 11 MEPs respectively. Tomorrow’s voters are Czechia for the second day, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia. EUROPE. Lead candidates have travelled the continent to vote. Violeta Tomić (EL) voted early on...

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Brussels, 21 May 2019 The Council of the EU today adopted the ambitious measures proposed by the Commission to tackle marine litter coming from the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on European beaches, as well as abandoned fishing gear and oxo-degradable plastics. The rules on Single-Use Plastics items and fishing gear envisage different measures to apply to different product and place the EU at the forefront of the global fight against marine litter. Where alternatives are easily available and...

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