In the year 2024, European politics have experienced a series of shocks, with some leaders emerging as winners while others found themselves struggling to maintain influence. The winners of the year include Donald Tusk, the leader of Poland who has aligned closely with Brussels on key issues, Pedro Sánchez, the stable Prime Minister of Spain who has been able to wield influence in Brussels, and former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta who continue to have a significant impact on Brussels’ economic policies.
On the other hand, Emmanuel Macron of France faced a challenging year, losing ground to far-right rivals and losing his centrist majority in the National Assembly. Olaf Scholz of Germany also faced difficulties managing fractures within his coalition, leading to U-turns on key EU laws and a lack of trust in Germany as a reliable partner. Klaus Iohannis of Romania also faced a political power vacuum, with uncertainty over his country’s future leadership.
Mark Rutte of the Netherlands had a mixed year, stepping down as Prime Minister after a long tenure and facing challenges in forming alliances with the far-right. Viktor Orbán of Hungary, despite being criticized by Brussels, has managed to maintain influence through his veto power and alliances with other far-right groups in the European Parliament. Keir Starmer of the UK has stormed to victory as a center-left leader, promising to improve economic and security relations with the EU.
As Europe faces various challenges in defense and economy, the relationships between EU member states and their leaders play a crucial role in shaping the future of the continent. Leaders who can effectively navigate these challenges and build alliances within the EU are likely to have a significant impact on European politics in the coming years. With a changing political landscape and new faces emerging on the scene, the balance of power in Europe is continuously shifting, making it essential for leaders to adapt and strategize to secure influence in Brussels.
