If Donald Trump wants to call Europe, he will dial its number. Giorgia Meloni – the prime minister of Italy – has been recognized by Politico magazine as the most influential politician of the coming year. The editorial forecast is the author's own and lists the European politicians who will determine the direction Europe will take. It has positive and negative signs. Politico's “Class of 2025” list also includes four politicians from Poland.
The most powerful man in Europe was until recently a marginal figure. Politico profiled Georgia Meloni, writing:
“In less than ten years, the leader of the right-wing party “Brotherhood of Italy” has come a long way. First he was denounced as an extreme nationalist fanatic, then he was elected prime minister of Italy, and now he presents himself as a jurist. A key figure who Brussels and Washington can do business with them.”
The leader of a group that comes in a direct line from Benito Mussolini today emphasizes the importance of democratic values.
– The main principles are freedom, equality between nations, democracy and solidarity. There is something that goes beyond the normal cooperation between states. It is the understanding of life in a difficult world, the responsibility it entails, the power of ideas and the courage needed to defend these ideas, said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Georgia Meloni reveals the list of 28 people who, according to Politico, will have the most influence on reality in the coming year. They are divided into three groups: doers, destroyers and dreamers. The authors of the list do not evaluate politicians as good or bad.
Poles on Politico's list
In the list of “people of action” Ursula von der Leyen is on the first place, Vladimir Putin is on the second place and Donald Tusk is on the third place.
The Polish prime minister has been described as a “bastion” because “he is the best person to stem the tide of populism” and “you can count on him to be one of the strongest voices in support of Kiev and a firm response to the Kremlin's aggression.” .
READ ALSO: About four Poles among “Europe's most influential people”
“Executive” – this is the name given to the EU Commissioner for the Budget, Piotr Serafin (fifth place in the list of “people of action”). “He is the man appointed by Ursula von der Leyen to control the misbehavior of national governments. His mission is to use the power of the purse to pressure EU countries to make the necessary domestic reforms and to punish any departure from democracy by cutting funding.” “.
In the category of “disruptors” or – if you prefer – innovators or pioneers, Rafal Trzaszkovskiy was ranked third as “a man who can turn the pages of history”.
“If Rafal Trzaszkowski wins Poland's presidential election next year, his victory will end the decade-long rule of the nationalist Law and Justice party in the country and put it on a more progressive and much more EU-friendly path.”
In the “dreamers” section, Radosław Sikorski (sixth place) was nicknamed “Washingtonian” because: “At a time when there are political upheavals in Paris and Berlin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland is the person whose task is to ensure this centralization.” Politicians from Europe continue to engage with Washington as Donald Trump's second administration takes office in the United States.”
The 28 most influential people in Europe include 18 men and 10 women, six Germans, four Poles, three Spaniards, two from France, Italy and Hungary. A man from outside Europe, Argentina, is Pope Francis.
Last year, Donald Tusk won the entire rating.
Facts about the world TVN24 BiS
Main photo source: FILIPPO ATTILI/PAP/EPA
