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Who would you consider the Top 5 Most Influential Europeans today?
Below are 4 random from the Times 100. See full list here.
Angela Merkel
Officially, Angela Merkel, 57, is the Chancellor of Germany, but in reality, she holds sway over much of Europe. As the continent has descended into its most severe economic crisis since World War II, Merkel's power has grown to a level almost unparalleled in modern European politics. Germany, Europe's largest economy, plays such a dominant role in the 17-nation euro zone that nothing can happen without a nod from Merkel. source
Christine Lagarde is the first woman ever to become managing director of the International Monetary Fund, but she was also the most qualified European candidate for the job. As France's Finance Minister during the global financial crisis, she helped lead her country's and the euro zone's policy response. This was a training by fire for the IMF job. source
Mario Draghi
When it became clear that Mario Draghi, 64, was to become the third president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Germany's best-selling tabloid created a photomontage of him wearing a Prussian spiked helmet. While its tone was cheeky, it sent a clear message: Germans need not fear the Italian guy whose signature will soon be featured on their euro banknotes. source
Mario Monti
At this moment, Mario Monti is the world's most important ex-economics professor. True, Ben Bernanke's monetary-policy decisions will move the needle in the U.S., but the fate of a continent rests on Monti's shoulders. If he can continue to institute meaningful reform, Europe will successfully weather the debt crisis. If he cannot, the vision of a unified Europe will unravel. source
Below are 4 random from the Times 100. See full list here.
Angela Merkel
Officially, Angela Merkel, 57, is the Chancellor of Germany, but in reality, she holds sway over much of Europe. As the continent has descended into its most severe economic crisis since World War II, Merkel's power has grown to a level almost unparalleled in modern European politics. Germany, Europe's largest economy, plays such a dominant role in the 17-nation euro zone that nothing can happen without a nod from Merkel. source
Christine Lagarde is the first woman ever to become managing director of the International Monetary Fund, but she was also the most qualified European candidate for the job. As France's Finance Minister during the global financial crisis, she helped lead her country's and the euro zone's policy response. This was a training by fire for the IMF job. source
Mario Draghi
When it became clear that Mario Draghi, 64, was to become the third president of the European Central Bank (ECB), Germany's best-selling tabloid created a photomontage of him wearing a Prussian spiked helmet. While its tone was cheeky, it sent a clear message: Germans need not fear the Italian guy whose signature will soon be featured on their euro banknotes. source
Mario Monti
At this moment, Mario Monti is the world's most important ex-economics professor. True, Ben Bernanke's monetary-policy decisions will move the needle in the U.S., but the fate of a continent rests on Monti's shoulders. If he can continue to institute meaningful reform, Europe will successfully weather the debt crisis. If he cannot, the vision of a unified Europe will unravel. source