2016 in Europe

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**2016 in Europe**
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### Overview

2016 was a significant year for European politics, culture, and natural disasters. The year saw various events that impacted the continent's economy, security, and social dynamics.

### Politics

#### European Union

* The Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union began on January 1.
* Bosnia-Herzegovina formally applied to join the European Union in February.
* The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in June.
* Iceland's presidential election was won by Guðni Jóhannesson in June.

#### Member States

* **Austria**: Werner Faymann resigned as Federal Chancellor, and Christian Kern succeeded him on July 9. Alexander Van der Bellen was elected president but was invalidated due to electoral irregularities.
* **Belgium**: Pluvial forces caused severe flooding in parts of the country, resulting in at least 11 deaths.
* **Cyprus**: The Democratic Rally retained a relative majority of seats in the legislative elections.
* **France**: Severe flooding occurred in various regions, with reports of at least 11 deaths.
* **Germany**: Regional parliamentary elections took place in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saxony-Anhalt on March 13.
* **Greece**: A boat carrying Iraqi Kurdish migrants sank off the Greek island of Samos, killing at least 24 people.
* **Iceland**: Guðni Jóhannesson won the presidential election in June.
* **Italy**: The country has a detailed article on its events for 2016.
* **Monaco**: Serge Tel was appointed Minister of State in February.
* **Netherlands**: A referendum on the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union took place on April 10, with 61% rejecting it.
* **Norway**: The Olympic Winter Youth Games were held in Lillehammer from February 12 to March 13.
* **Portugal**: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was elected president on January 24.
* **Russia**: A massive pile-up involving 70 vehicles killed four people and wounded 30 on the A1 motorway in western Slovenia. Flydubai Flight 981 crashed in Rostov-on-Don, killing all 62 people on board.
* **Slovakia**: Parliamentary elections took place on March 5, with Robert Fico's party winning but losing the majority.
* **Sweden**: Jamala represented Ukraine and won the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

### Culture

* The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest and deepest traffic tunnel, opened in Switzerland on May 1.
* Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill signed an Ecumenical Declaration in February, marking the first such meeting since the East-West Schism in 1054.
* Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to send millions of refugees from Turkey to EU member states.

### Disasters

* A car bomb attack targeting a police bus killed 11 people and wounded 36 in central Istanbul on June 14.
* Three people were killed and 36 injured in a train crash in eastern Belgium on June 6.
* At least 40 people were injured in violence during street protests in Paris on June 19.

### Sports

* The European Grand Prix was held in Baku on June 19, won by Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg.