Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been ranked as the most influential person in Europe for 2025 by Politico, topping its prestigious Class of 2025 list.
The international publication unveiled its annual rankings on Tuesday, noting Meloni’s significant influence on the European and global stage.
The list, as Politico explains, is divided into three categories: Doers (those adept at imposing their will), Disrupters (those shaking up the status quo), and Dreamers (those whose bold ideas are driving the conversation). Sitting at the very top is a figure who embodies all three traits in a way that feels especially relevant this year — a position Politico awarded to Meloni.
The publication emphasised the list is not an endorsement or accolade but a “snapshot of power” based on the judgment of its journalists and insiders. It reflects who holds sway in Europe, rather than who necessarily should. Politico also highlighted the scarcity of women on the list, noting this as a reminder of Europe’s entrenched power structures, which still largely exclude women from positions of influence.
This year’s rankings also feature an unusually high number of Eurocrats — civil servants and political appointees rarely seen as influential beyond Brussels. According to Politico, with politics in disarray, these “paper pushers” are stepping into the limelight and flexing their influence.
Meloni’s Rise and Global Recognition
In its profile of Meloni, Politico credited her transformation from a fringe nationalist figure to a key leader in Europe. “If you’re Elon Musk — the world’s richest man and a key adviser to United States President-elect Donald Trump — the number you dial belongs to Giorgia Meloni,” it wrote, describing her as a representative of the “ever-more-radical zeitgeist blossoming on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Meloni, leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, has established herself as a significant figure in Europe and beyond. Her government, described as one of the most stable in post-war Italy, has positioned her as a leader with whom Brussels and Washington can do business.
Meloni and Trump: A Meeting in Paris
US President-elect Donald Trump also shared his admiration for Meloni after their meeting at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Sunday. Speaking to the New York Post, Trump referred to Meloni as “a real live wire” and praised her energy.
“We get along great,” Trump said, noting that they spent time together during a reception attended by around 60 world leaders, including dining together. He expressed optimism about working with her and others to “straighten out the world a little bit.”
