The most influential politicians in Europe named

Politico published a list of the most influential politicians in Europe who had the most significant impact on the European political situation this year.

The rating was topped by US President Donald Trump. The authors note that the politician who has regained the post of head of the White House is distinguished by his authority and low predictability, but changes in his behavior have an impact on the whole of Europe.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is in second place. “We all live in Mette Frederiksen's Europe. We just don’t know about it yet,” this is how journalists justified this politician’s high position. It was noted for its tough migration policy, which became a model for other countries on the continent. Frederiksen has been dubbed "the unofficial spokesperson for European defense independence" by Politico because of her resilience in the conflict with Trump over Greenland.

The top three was completed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who managed to break the decades-old policy guidelines in Germany. He is again increasing spending on the army, breaking the tradition of avoiding budget deficits, and is also not afraid to take risks in foreign policy, including in relations with the United States.

The top five also included the leader of the French ultra-right National Rally party Marine Le Pen and Vladimir Putin. Le Pen has demonstrated that even prosecution by the French authorities does not prevent her and her party from gaining popularity. She is now close to winning a parliamentary majority or sufficient support from other forces to bring a National Rally supporter to the post of prime minister.

Putin, who received the title of “provocateur” from Politico, is called the main destroyer of order in Europe. The risk of a Russian invasion sends shivers through European policymakers, who risk being left without U.S. support in a future conflict. This fear forced several states to rearm at once, avoiding increased spending on national defense.

A total of 28 people are included in the ranking, which also includes British radical politician Nigel Farage, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German politician Manfred Weber, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, economist Gabriel Zutzmann, head of EU diplomacy Kaya Callas, European Commissioner Teresa Ribera, Swedish entrepreneur Daniel Ek, French President Emmanuel Macron, former ECB head Mario Draghi, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, commander of US and NATO forces in Europe Alexus Grinkevich, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, German politician Heidi Reichinnek, banker Andrea Orcel, French politician Rima Hassan, head of the Dutch election winner party Rob Jetten and the President of the International Football Federation Gianni Infantino.

Photo: Press service of the President of Russia