Power 25 for 2025: Who will influence EU politics the most this year?
As the new European Commission and Parliament embark on the first new year of its mandate, analysts have chosen the 25 politicians who will shape and impact Europe in 2025.
1. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
After securing her second term, von der Leyen will continue to lead the EU from Brussels for the next five years. With a shaken international landscape and the aim to increase European competitiveness, she will also represent the bloc's priorities on the global stage.
2. António Costa, President of the European Council
The Portuguese politician will lead the European Council, taking over from his predecessor Charles Michel. Some key conversations have already taken place in his time regarding migration, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and relations with the new Trump administration in the United States.
3. Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Kallas, the EU's new foreign policy chief, will lead the debate on issues such as European relations with the new regime in Syria and ties with the EU's border countries. Her recent warnings about the dangers of pushing Ukraine into peace negotiations suggest the course she intends to set for the EU.
4. Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister
Poland takes the Presidency of the European Union for the first six months of the year. A strong advocate for Ukraine, Tusk has pledged to support the country's aspirations to join the bloc, an area where he aligns with von der Leyen as well as the need to strengthen the EU's defense capacity.
5. Mark Rutte, head of NATO
Rutte will play a key role in the EU's relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has wavered in support of NATO citing the disproportionate US contribution to the alliance. The two know each other and worked together while Rutte was Dutch prime minister during Trump's first term.
6. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a clean, fair and competitive transition
As Vice-President of the Commission with a strong portfolio including climate and competition, she has a key role in shaping policy in two critical areas. While she has a solid grasp of environmental issues, her approach to competition remains to be seen, especially if she will match the visibility of her predecessor, Margrethe Vestager.
7. Elon Musk, CEO of X, SpaceX
Musk has gained strong influence on the political landscape in the US and abroad, beyond his power as CEO of X and Space X, after President-elect Trump tapped him to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency. Musk's political involvement has also fueled controversy in Europe after he publicly supported Germany's far-right AfD party.
8. Giorgia Meloni, prime minister of Italy
Giorgia Meloni, the leader of Italy's right-wing Brotherhood of Italy party, has served as the country's prime minister since 2022. With Italy playing a key role in EU debates on migration, economic reform and energy policy, the leadership her and alliances with other conservatives will shape the direction and power dynamics of the bloc in Brussels.
9. Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark
Denmark will take over the EU presidency in the second half of 2025, succeeding Poland. A strong ally of Ukraine, Denmark has also been a vocal advocate for sustainable migration policies. In 2024 she led a coalition of 15 member states in calling for the outsourcing of migration and asylum policy.
10. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy, the former Ukrainian actor and comedian who was elected president of Ukraine in 2019, can count on the continued financial support of the EU in dealing with Russian aggression against his country. But Trump's election as US president could signal a waning of US support, presenting Europe with a bigger bill in 2025.
11. Jordan Bardella, President of the far-right French National Rally
Can Jordan Bardella's popularity in France reach the Strasbourg Parliament? Derided as "Jordan pas tres la" ("Jordan, not much there") for his repeated absences from the European Parliament between 2019 and 2024, his election as leader of the Patriots could herald a stronger influence on the European stage. .
12. Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
The centre-right European People's Party (EPP) has shifted to the right under the ten-year leadership of Bavarian Manfred Weber and is set to continue as the most powerful German in the European Parliament. He recently persuaded the center-left S&D and liberal group Renew to accept right-wing Italian commissioner Raffaele Fitto.
13. Bjoern Seibert, Chief of Staff of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
A veteran of von der Leyen's time as German defense minister between 2013 and 2019, Seibert is at the heart of a tight inner decision-making circle and has played a crucial role in coordinating EU sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. .
14. Pedro Lourtie, Chief of Staff of EU Council President Antonio Costa
As Portugal's ambassador to the EU from 2022, Lourtie is expected to build on his diplomatic experience posts in Paris, Washington and Tunisia and his familiarity with Brussels, while serving as right-hand man to European Council President António Costa.
15. Ilze Juhansone, Secretary General, European Commission
Ilze Juhansone of Latvia succeeded the powerful Martin Selmayer as Secretary General of the European Commission in 2020, after a political career in her country and a post as Latvia's ambassador to the EU. Johansson, who keeps a low profile, helped guide von der Leyen into her first term as EU President.
16. Nicola Procaccini, MEP, Fratelli d'Italia
Italian Nicola Procaccini, a member of Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, serves as co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in the European Parliament. After the European elections, the ECR emerged as the third largest group in the chamber, reshaping the dynamic and challenging the traditional cordon of centrist groups against far-right parties.
17. Alessandro Chiocchietti, Secretary General, European Parliament
The closed-door appointment of Chiocchetti to become the new secretary-general of the European Parliament was controversial in 2022, as he was previously President Roberta Metsola's chief of staff. The job includes decision-making power for Parliament's multibillion-dollar budget and overseeing 8,000 staff members.
18. Teresa Anjinho, European Ombudsman
Anjinho was chosen as the new EU supervisor by the European Parliament during their last session in December in Strasbourg. Her work will mainly involve responding to complaints from Europeans who have found themselves at the sharp end of EU bureaucracy, or from journalists, activists or NGOs seeking greater transparency from EU institutions.
19. Paula Pinho, Chief Spokesperson, European Commission
Pinho was appointed as Ursula von der Leyen's chief spokesperson last November. She has worked for the European Commission since 2000 before being selected to head the Spokesperson's Service. In her new role, she will be the first point of contact for the media, becoming a bridge between the press and the President of the Commission.
20. Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration
Serafin, an economist and Tusk's former chief of staff, will be in charge of the budget portfolio where he will have to pressure EU member states to respect von der Leyen's domestic reforms and punish any bad behavior by cutting off access to funds. Including his native Poland.
21. Siegfrid Muresan, member of the European Parliament
The centre-right Muresan, the European Parliament's chief negotiator for the next long-term budget and head of the EU-Moldova delegation, will be at the center of the interweaving discussions on enlargement and budget spending.
22. Janos Boka, Minister of European Affairs, Hungary
Recently installed János Bóka will represent Hungary in its ongoing clashes with Brussels. The country recently lost €1 billion in EU money that was frozen due to violations of the rule of law under the leadership of Viktor Orbán.
23. Mario Draghi, former prime minister of Italy
Draghi's report on the future of European competition was the basis for the plans of the new European Commission, coloring future proposals from the EU Executive on economic security, fair competition and autonomy.
24. Simon Harris, Taoiseach of Ireland
Ireland's prime minister defended his country's stance on international law and human rights and supported South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Harris is the only European leader to do so as the Israel-Gaza war continues and faces a diplomatic row.
25. Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania
Under Rama's leadership, Albania is moving forward with its bid for EU membership, hoping to join by 2030. However, the deal he signed with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on migrant detention centers on the outskirts of EU, has been put on hold after raising questions about human rights.
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