The situation in Ukraine remains tense. After the internationally condemned accession of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation, the crisis has expanded to the eastern part of the country. Separatist pro-Russian forces are causing increasing anxiety, and the call by the public in the region for joining the Russian Federation is getting louder.

An initial glimmer of hope for a de-escalation was seen in the peace plan signed in Geneva by the foreign ministers of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the United States and the European Union’s High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The agreement aimed to disarm illegal armed groups, to vacate illegally occupied buildings and public places, and to restore security in the country through the efforts of all the parties involved.

The conflict nevertheless continues unabated. Repeated exchange of fire between Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian militia is causing an increasing number of deaths on both sides.

Finland's Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen is stepping down in a surprise move, suggesting the politician known for his role in the eurozone crisis is jockeying to contend for a top European Union leadership slot. Katainen disclosed his decision publicly at a political meeting on Saturday night, signalling an end to his decade-long tenure as leader of the centre-right National CoaBlition. He will resign after his term as Party leader expires in June.

His departure isn't expected to trigger the immediate collapse of Finland's government. In the most likely scenario, his successor as Party leader will become the next prime minister. Parliamentary elections are set for 2015.

Turkey’s local elections on 30 March were internationally and nationally monitored as a barometer for Prime Minister Erdogan’s policies and popularity. The outcome couldn’t have been clearer: his governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) obtained 45.5 % of the votes nationwide. The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) got 27.7 %.

In recent months, Erdogan`s politics had been strongly criticized both within and outside the country. His 11-year-rule had also been threatened by corruption accusations against himself and other leading AKP politicians and ministers.

Despite all of this, the clear victory in the local elections could signal a positive outcome for Erdogan in the forthcoming presidential elections in August. These elections will be the first ever to elect a president through a direct citizens’ vote. However, Erdogan has not yet announced whether he will run for election.

A prominent member of the French Socialist Party and a former Minister for the Environment (1992/1993), Ségolène Royal was appointed Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy following a cabinet reshuffle at the end of March. Royal is President of the Poitou-Charentes Regional Council and a former member of the National Assembly. She was the Socialist Party’s candidate for the French presidential election in 2007, but lost to Nicolas Sarkozy in the second round.

Besides the environment portfolio, her posts in previous Socialist administrations included: Minister-delegate of Education (1997–2000); Minister-delegate of Family, Children and Disabled Persons (2000-2002).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9gol%C3%A8ne_Royal