As Germany swears in a grand coalition, is Ukraine a grand loss for the EU? Helmut Scholz gives his view while Claude Turmes advocates renewable energy as a motor for growth.

Germany and Ukraine at a watershed - Green innovation creates jobs

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16467708/m004-0101-en.srt

Hello, and welcome to 7 Days in Europe.  Finally Germany has a new government

almost four months after the election  which left Angela Merkel without a majority

and forced to enter grand coalition  with the Social Democrats.

Her cabinet is being hailed  as something solid, something new,

with some stalwarts  regaining their portfolios,

but with more representation of women  and minorities at the same time.

Perhaps not hailed  by the Left Party of our guest,

Helmut Scholz, representing  here in Parliament

the Confederal Group of the European  United Left/Nordic Green Left,

better known as GUE.  Plenty of questions to come

on what Europe's  economic and political powerhouse

might or should achieve  in the coming years,

and also on the other hot topic  of the week, Ukraine,

whose president has just won  an 11-billion-euro lifeline

But what price to it  and to its relations with the EU?

First, though, let's kick off with  our habitual round of quickfire questions

Helmut Scholz, is there anything  to give cheer to Germany's left

Do you think the minimum wage  commitment of 8.50 euros an hour?

Do you think, as some do, that this new  cabinet broadly reflects German society?

Has the east of Germany been forgotten  by its most famous daughter?

does Ukraine better fit  in the family of Europe

or in a revitalised family of Russia?  Here or there?

Here or there?  Do you think Europe or Russia?

Was Ukraine wise not to sign  the Association and Trade Agreement

One last question. Do you think the left  will lose out to the radical right

in the European elections coming up?  -No.

OK, that's time up. I'm afraid there  wasn't enough time for those questions.

We'll return to some of those issues  later in the discussion.

First, Helmut Scholz, if I can ask,  what was your gut reaction

to the formation of the new government  in Germany yesterday?

After learning about the coalition treaty,

it was clear that  the new government will reflect

the points they have managed to agree on  after long, long debates.

And, as I would say, already one-twentieth

of the whole time of this legislative period

has gone before  they have even started to govern.

So it was high time  to start with this government.

Do you think, with what has been agreed,  that there are grounds for some optimism,

even though you don't come from  either party obviously,

but some optimism there might be a change  in the direction of German politics?

There will be no dramatic change  for the moment, but I hope

that the Social Democrats will have  the chance and the power

to increase the pressure  to gain more content on the points

which are described and reflected  in a very general way in this coalition treaty.

Hold that thought. We'll look at  what those points might be.

We'll return to it in a moment.  First, let's take a short interlude

to look at the big questions  coming up in this Parliament next year,

including European elections.  Here's Mariam Zaidi.

From January, it'll be a busy session as  the EP returns from the Christmas break.

We don't just bid au revoir to 2013  but also to Lithuania

as Greece takes over the rotating  Council Presidency of the EU on 1 January.

Priorities for the 6 months ahead include:

jobs and growth, migration  and maritime policies.

So can Greece -  mired in its own economic problems -

It was the solution  to prevent another economic crisis:

severing the link from national governments  especially vis-à-vis failing banks.

Could 2014 be the year we stop talking  about it and actually have a Banking Union,

especially as Parliament elections  are round the corner?

Well, as we wait and see,  another highlight will be an inquiry

into the Troika:  the IMF, the ECB and the Commission.

The report by the Economic and Monetary  Affairs Committee is expected in May.

It's time for Europe to decide, as the 2014  European Parliamentary Elections

Here's a quick round up of stories expected  to hit the headlines in the next semester.

An overhaul of workers' rights.  Under the freedom to provide services,

one million of us move to work  in other EU countries.

It's over to the Employment Committee  to make a deal by April.

Delays, cancellations, denied boarding...

How many of us actually  take action against airlines?

All change as the Transport Committee's  report to stop airline abuse

The telecoms package  is another priority for the months ahead

Better rights, privacy, internet  and clearer charges could be all yours!

Lots more to come  but that's all for this agenda.

Enjoy the holidays  and see you next year!

Helmut Scholz, I want to turn to  this question of the austerity measures

which Angela Merkel has championed  since the start of the crisis.

Do you think it's inevitable that those  measures will continue to be championed