An Overview of Current World Leaders

Donald Trump (United States of America) Donald Trump was elected president in November 2016, taking office in January 2017. He ran as a Republican, but has created fissures in the party. With his background in business, Trump’s decision to enter the world of politics without prior experience shocked many. Despite his lack of political expertise, he currently sits in one of the most powerful positions...

Theresa May became prime minister of the United Kingdom in 2016. She is the leader of the Conservative Party. She has been tasked with beginning the process of Brexit, Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union following the results of a referendum. May called for a general election in June 2017 in order to try and increase the number of conservative members of Parliament as well as develop a stronger...

Angela Merkel was appointed the first female chancellor of Germany in 2005. Many regard her as the leader of the European Union, and some would even say the leader of the free world as a whole. She has been recognized as playing a significant role in the management of the financial crisis that struck the world in 2007 and 2008 after the US housing bubble collapsed and spread to a worldwide scale. She...

Vladimir Putin has long been a powerful force in Russian politics. He served as a KGB foreign intelligence officer for 16 years, prime minister from 1999 to 2000, president from 2000 to 2008, again prime minister from 2008 to 2012, and is now serving as president yet again. Despite receiving criticism on a lack of transparency and poor rankings in Freedom House’s index, as well as accusations of...

Emmanuel Macron was elected in May 2017, defeating his far-right opponent, Marine Le Pen, with 66.1% of votes. He has been an advocate of the free market and labor reforms, as well as being generally liberal in his foreign policy views. He has criticized France’s past as a colonial power, facing considerable opposition, and has largely been regarded as a pro-European Union figure. Macron is an advocate...

Xi Jinping was elected the president of China and the leader of the Communist Party in 2012. Xi rose through ranks as a Communist leader, facing comparatively little involvement in scandals or corruption. He has pushed his ideology of the “Chinese Dream,” ideals which his political stances have echoed throughout his career. Promoting reform, development, and opportunities for young people, this...

While Pope Francis is not a president or prime minister, it is impossible to deny his role as a global leader. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he is the first pope to come from the Americas. Beginning his papacy in 2013, his ideas on mercy have echoed throughout his role thus far. The Pope has been tasked with a key role in reforming the Vatican, encouraging both men and women to take active...

With his extensive roots in politics and his military background, Netanyahu has been a key figure in Israeli politics for decades. He is serving his fourth term as Prime Minister, representing the conservative Likud Party. As Prime Minister, he has taken steps to counteract terrorism, reform the free market, and rebuild Israel’s relationship with the United States after poor exchanges with President...

Narendra Modi was elected prime minister of India in 2014. He was born into a small community but devoted himself from a young age to having a successful career. Now in place as one of India’s most powerful individuals, Modi has certainly gained the platform he desired. He has been a proponent of foreign investment in an attempt to grow business and economy, decreasing support for social welfare...

Shinzō Abe rose to the role of Prime Minister of Japan in 2012. Born into a family with significant political experience, Abe has been involved with government issues for a considerable amount of time, first elected to parliament in 1993. Despite disapproval and scandals, he rose the ranks and was elected prime minister in 2006. However, Abe stepped down from his position in 2007 after his party,...

The supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous world leaders currently in power.  His father and grandfather both led North Korea before him. He has pushed relentlessly for the development of North Korea’s nuclear weaponry and missile program, and has encouraged a military-oriented nation with stockpiles of defense, even as his people are...

The Liberal Party’s Justin Trudeau became prime minister in 2015. He has been a major figure in terms of liberal world leaders, publicly identifying as a feminist, promoting the legalization of marijuana and support for abortion, and exploring developments in domestic policy such as improvements in infrastructure. However, the road has not been easy, with several members of his government being involved...