Martin Schulz dissects Europe's great failures on the week of Barroso's State of the Union address, and Brian Simpson tells us how we can save even more lives on European roads.

7 Days: Whose fault is Europe's inability to act?

On Wednesday, all eyes were on  the German Constitutional Court

which had to decide the future  of the European Stability Mechanism.

For many, this mechanism is  the most important instrument

Almost at the same time,  Commission President Barroso

More Europe, say some.  No, a better Europe, say others.

In the end, no-one can say how long the  journey might be and where it will take us.

I can imagine what my guest's  thoughts on that might be,

but let's give him a chance to speak for  himself. Martin Schulz, hello and welcome.

Before we continue,  we'll have our usual minute

during which you can only answer  Yes or No.

Without a political Europe, we cannot  master the crisis. Do you agree?

In August, Angela Merkel called for  a convention that would draft a new treaty.

Commission President Barroso  did the same this week.

Does Berlin dictate  which way Europe goes?

The German Constitutional Court  has passed its judgment.

The ESM will continue. Are you relieved?  -Yes.

Is this stability mechanism  the solution to the crisis?

Let's say yes.  -Probably not the only solution.

In 2014, voters are supposed to  be able to vote for European parties.

Even if transnational lists  were part of the vote?

A banking union. The ECB cannot  control all banks, says Merkel. True?

It's a problem for Germany since  our banking system is very heterogeneous.

Merkel's statement refers to the structure of  the Sparkassen and Volksbanken.

but commercial banks and banks  doing international business

need to be supervised by the ECB  and the banking agency in London.

This week,  we heard an American-style speech

about the state of the nation,  or rather the state of the Union.

If you had to assess Mr Barroso,  what mark would you give him?

Good. In the German marking system  that would be a 'good'.

So a 7 to 8 in the French system,  so everyone understands. OK.

Let's have a quick look at  what else happened this week.

Improved detection of  dangerous medicines.

On Tuesday, the MEPs voted for  an advanced drugs control system,

with faster withdrawal of those  considered potentially dangerous.

At the end of 2010,  MEPs and Member States agreed

on new pharmacovigilance rules for the EU.

But the Mediator scandal – the drug caused  allegedly over 1,000 deaths in France –

Energy consumption  reduced by 20% by 2020 –

concrete measures  to achieve this European objective.

Public buildings renovated to be greener,

mandatory energy audits  for large companies,

more accurate energy bills  based on actual consumption:

the MEPs approved on Tuesday  energy saving solutions for all sectors.

Same rights for victims of crime  across Europe.

Victims of theft, assault, rape or  any other crime committed on EU territory

should have the same basic rights  such as psychological support,

access to justice and the right to be  compensated for the harm caused.

The vote was on  the plenary agenda on Wednesday.

Towards a banking union: Finally!  But for some, it’s not the right approach.

Such was the result of talks between MEPs  specialising in economic affairs on Monday.

The states have finally admitted the need  for integrated banking supervision

but seem unwilling to make the system  transparent and democratically accountable.

On Wednesday, the debate was  scheduled to open to all MEPs

and Commissioner Michel Barnier  in the plenary.

the discussions and speeches  are always the same.

We need to know whether there will be  more Europe or less Europe,

I understand you saying  the speeches are always the same.

This decision should have  been made years ago.

In my opinion, that's one of the causes  of the crisis we are in.

The decision is not just  about more or less Europe,

it's about European institutions  that can act

Otherwise everything that happens  in Europe will hang on

one single nation agreeing to it or not.  That's what's happening now.

You cannot have a common market  and a monetary union

That's what creates  the lack of clarity we have today.

'More Europe or less Europe'  really means a European government,

appointed and also dismissible by  the Parliament. That's what it's about.

People who question  the democratic institutions of Europe

seems to be successful in the press  and with the voters.

People who really doubt the legitimacy  of Barroso and the EP are a minority.

I think, however, that we are dealing  with the following phenomenon.

The great majority of Europeans  support the European idea

that the enormous challenges  of this century,

the environment, trade, international  monetary relations, migration,

can no longer be dealt with by the nation  states alone. Everybody knows that.

And when you say these things  need an international solution,

We want to defend  our social model and our values

in the global competition  against China, India, Latin America.