First in the annual ranking of the 28 most powerful people in European politics by the Brussels-based portal Politiko this year is US President Donald Trump, whom they called the "Transatlantic Shockwave".
The ranking showed that no one has more influence in or on Europe than the American president.
As stated, Trump is sometimes a partner for Europe, sometimes a threat, and always a force that reshapes relations on its own terms.
"What is clear is that Europe is dealing with an unpredictable, dominant partner whose impulses can turn the continent upside down overnight," the Brussels portal explained.
Politico writes that this conclusion forced them to break their own rules because the list of the 28 most powerful traditionally includes only Europeans, people who live or work on the continent.
"However, if there was ever a moment to make an exception, it is now. Trump's shadow looms so large over European capitals that his decisions - or outbursts of anger - have reshaped everything from the defense budget and trade policy to domestic politics," Politico stated.
After Trump, the most powerful person on the list is Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, who has been called the "North Star", followed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French politician Marine Le Pen.
Fifth on the list of the most powerful is Russian President Vladimir Putin, seventh is European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, eighth is NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is 12th, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is 14th.
French President Emmanuel Macron is the 19th most powerful in European politics and Poland's Karol Nawrocki is 23rd, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in last place.
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