US President Donald Trump topped the Politico ranking for the most influential people in Europe for the coming 2026, BTA reported.
Usually at the end of each year, the publication compiles a similar ranking, which it calls "Next Year's Class". It includes leaders from Europe and the world who have influenced events on the European continent this year with their actions and who will continue to do so next year.
Trump is not a European leader, but he plays an important role in the process of finding a solution to the conflict in Ukraine and indirectly influenced Europe's aspirations to become more independent in strategic terms, notes "Politico". With some of his actions, he redefined the policy of the Old Continent, in particular in strengthening defense and security.
The American president and representatives of his administration criticized the situation in Europe in terms of political correctness and migration policies on the Old Continent. In addition, Trump has become closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin and imposed tariffs on the EU. According to "Politico", Trump's shadow will continue to weigh heavily over European capitals next year. His actions have even managed to influence national policies in some European countries, the publication comments.
The top ten of the "Class of 2026" ranking are Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Putin, who are in positions 2 to 5, respectively. From sixth to In tenth place are followed by British far-right leader Nigel Farage, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her British counterpart Keir Starmer.
The top ten are falling out of the top ten: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is only in 14th place in the "Politico" ranking, and French President Emmanuel Macron, who is only in 14th place. In twentieth place is former Italian Prime Minister and former Governor of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi, who has not held an official position for years, but has actively participated in conferences and seminars as a lecturer and has also prepared an official report on the future of the EC.
The ranking has a total of 28 places and includes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (12), the EU's number one diplomat Kaia Kalas (16), yesterday appointed Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis (21), the President of Finland Alexander Stubb (13), Polish President Karol Nawrocki (23), FIFA President Gianni Infantino (28), French financier Gabriel Zuckmann (15), Dutch politician Rob Jeten (27), etc.
Last year, the ranking was topped by Italian Prime Minister Meloni, the Italian media outlet "Sky TG24" recalled today.