Forbes ranks Russian President Putin as the world’s most powerful leader, followed by Trump
US magazine releases its 2016 rankings with the world’s five most important leaders. Putin “has exerted his country's influence in nearly every corner of the globe," the magazine says. Pope Francis, who is 80 today, is fifth.
Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Vladimir Putin, 64, was the world's most powerful person in 2016, with US president-elect Donald Trump in second place, this according to the annual ranking of Forbes magazine.
"Russia's president has exerted his country's influence in nearly every corner of the globe," the US business magazine writes. "From the motherland to Syria to the U.S. presidential elections, Putin continues to get what he wants."
Donald Trump, who was listed 72nd in Forbes' 2015 power rankings, is now number two. The US president-elect "has a seeming immunity to scandal, both houses of Congress on his side, and a personal net worth in the billions."
Third place this year went to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been at the helm of Europe's economic powerhouse for 11 years and announced plans to run for reelection next year. She is followed by China’s Xi Jinping.
In fifth place is Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of more than a billion Catholic, who is 80 years old today.
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