What institution of the EU is responsible for setting the EU's political direction?

The European Council plays a vital role in setting the political direction of the European Union. It comprises heads of state or government from each EU member state, along with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. This assembly focuses on defining the EU's strategic priorities and overarching policy objectives.

The European Council does not engage in the day-to-day legislative processes but rather provides the necessary leadership and guidelines on important issues such as foreign policy, security, and economic governance. This makes it the institution that establishes the overall political priorities and vision for the EU.

In contrast, the other institutions, such as the European Commission, primarily manage the implementation of EU policies and oversee the details of legislation. The European Parliament represents EU citizens in the legislative process and contributes to policy discussions but is not primarily responsible for setting the political agenda. Meanwhile, the Council of the European Union, while it plays a pivotal role in the legislative process and decision-making, acts more as a negotiator and represents member states' interests rather than defining the political direction itself. Therefore, the European Council's unique composition and mandate position it as the key institution for establishing the EU's political direction.