Thus, the focus on this main political goal must become more visible in EU politics and to achieve this, we need a political impulse. It must be clear what the priorities on the agenda are.

Merkel argues that the European Union needs clearer political direction: a central objective should be made more explicit in day-to-day EU decision-making, and that clarity requires an initiating “impulse” from political leaders rather than incremental technocratic management. The second sentence underscores agenda-setting as power: citizens and member states must be able to see what is being prioritized, otherwise EU politics appears diffuse, reactive, or driven by process rather than purpose. In this reading, the quote reflects Merkel’s characteristic emphasis on pragmatic coordination—turning broad goals into visible priorities that can guide institutions, negotiations, and public expectations.