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Kaczyński high in Politico ranking of European ‘shakers’

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 07.12.2016 18:11
The leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party Jarosław Kaczyński is in fourth place in the annual ranking of 28 politicians “who are shaping, shaking and stirring Europe” compiled by Politico.
PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński. Photo: Flickr.com/Piotr DrabikPiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński. Photo: Flickr.com/Piotr Drabik

Politico describes Kaczyński as the “Backbench Driver” and says that, even though formally just one of 460 members of the Polish Parliament, he is “the most powerful man in the country”.

In Politico’s view, Kaczyński, along with Hungary’s Viktor Orban (first in last year’s ranking), “leads the eastern flank of the anti-establishment brigades that have scored significant victories in the West, from Brexit to Donald Trump, and is setting its sights on critical elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands next year”.

The publication describes its ranking as “a guide to the people who are likely to shape the world in 2017”.

It predicts that in the coming months, “Kaczyński will play a role in the EU’s negotiations with the United Kingdom, looking to defend the interests of a couple million Poles who reside in the UK”, while at the same time “not doing Brussels any favours”.

“If Europe as we know it is to recover from the blow of Brexit, Brussels and Berlin will need a Poland that embraces the EU, possibly joining the eurozone. Count on Kaczyński to fight that relentlessly.”

In first place on the list was Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London. Meanwhile, Frauke Petry, the leader of Germany’s Alternative for Germany party, and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary were listed in second and third place respectively.

Politico is an American organization covering international politics and distributing its content via television, the Internet, print, radio and podcasts. Politico Europe is its European edition. (mk/rg)

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