EU leaders summit: tough talks on the future

With a new European parliament, a European Commission with its term drawing to a close and a treaty with an uncertain future, tough talks took place at the EU leaders' summit on 18-19 June.

• The Irish government have now pledged to go ahead with a second referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. Having secured a series of so called legal guarantees relating to military neutrality, family life and taxation issues, a referendum is expected for 2 October 2009. Read the Law Society's guide to the Treaty of Lisbon.
• Current Commission president Barroso got the go-ahead from government leaders for his candidancy for the next European Commission but still has to convince the European Parliament he is the man for the job.
• Sweden takes over the rotating Presidency of the EU on 1 July. Their key themes for the next six months include climate change, tackling the economic and financial crisis and the future of justice and home affairs.