Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been named Politico’s second most powerful person in Europe, a ranking that underscores how her mix of welfare-state policies, strict migration rules and hawkish defence has reshaped debates across the European Union (EU).
“We’re all living in Mette Frederiksen’s Europe. We just don’t know it yet.” – Politico
How Politico’s ranking puts Frederiksen at the top of Europe’s power map
In its annual POLITICO 28 – Class of 2026 ranking, Politico places Frederiksen just behind U.S. President Donald Trump, opening her profile with the line: “we’re all living in Mette Frederiksen’s Europe. We just don’t know it yet.” The list focuses on the people expected to shape Europe’s politics and policies in the coming year, rather than on formal office alone.
Politico highlights Frederiksen as “the North Star” of a new kind of social democracy: a combination of left-wing welfare policies with right-leaning positions on migration and defence. The outlet writes that she has “quietly exported her own brand of hard-headed social democracy across the continent,” and describes this as a model that “blends left-wing welfare politics and right-leaning toughness on migration and defense.” Over the past six years she has moved from being seen as an idealistic left-wing figure to becoming one of Europe’s most pragmatic operators, able to influence both EU institutions and other European governments.
The ranking reflects a political landscape marked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the return of Trump to the White House and renewed pressure on Europe to invest more in defence while dealing with polarised domestic politics.
A hard line on migration that travels beyond Denmark
One of the main reasons Politico cites for Frederiksen’s influence is her role in shifting Europe’s migration policy. Denmark’s “detain-and-deport” model – in which asylum seekers are held in dedicated centres while their claims are processed and quickly removed if rejected – has become a reference point for several governments. Politico notes that her hard line on asylum “has inspired similar efforts from the U.K. to Italy,” helping to move what was once a fringe idea into the European mainstream.
Frederiksen has pushed the idea of asylum processing and return centres in third countries, a model that inspired similar initiatives in the United Kingdom and Italy and helped move EU discussions toward stricter external border control and offshore reception schemes. Critics, including human rights organisations and parts of the European left, have described the approach as inhumane and incompatible with Europe’s human rights obligations.
Despite this criticism, the Danish prime minister’s proposals have influenced the recent European debate on processing asylum claims outside the EU and on the broader reform of the bloc’s asylum and migration system. Politico notes that her capacity to make this once-marginal idea part of the mainstream conversation is central to her elevated position in the ranking.
Leading by example on defence, Ukraine and strategic autonomy
Frederiksen’s rise in the ranking is also linked to Denmark’s role in supporting Ukraine and pushing for a more self-reliant European defence. Under her leadership, Denmark has pledged a higher share of its gross domestic product (GDP) to military and financial assistance for Ukraine than any other EU country over the past years, and has been active in co-investing in Ukraine’s defence industry. Politico underlines that she has become an “unofficial spokesperson for European defense independence,” and notes that her call to make the EU “fully self-reliant on defense by 2030” has been echoed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Politico describes Frederiksen as an unofficial spokesperson for European defence independence, arguing that her experience managing tensions with Trump over Greenland has added credibility to her calls for strategic autonomy. In this view, Denmark – long seen as one of the EU’s more Eurosceptic members – has become a strong advocate of deeper integration in security and foreign policy.
Her government’s decision to raise defence spending above traditional NATO targets and to back joint European procurement initiatives has contributed to a broader shift within the EU, where more member states now support common borrowing and shared industrial projects in the defence sector.
Nordic figures and EU heavyweights on Politico’s 2026 power list
Politico’s ranking does not only highlight Frederiksen. The Nordic region is represented by several high-profile names, underlining how the area has become central to debates on security, technology and democracy in Europe.
Finland’s president Alexander Stubb is placed 13th on the list and portrayed as “the caddie”, a reference to his relationship with Trump that has reportedly grown closer through golf diplomacy. His role in steering Finland into NATO and positioning the country as a front-line security actor on the EU’s eastern flank is part of the rationale for his inclusion.
Swedish entrepreneur Daniel Ek, the founder of Spotify, appears in 18th place as “the bomb dropper”, reflecting the influence of European tech leaders on regulation, content moderation and digital markets. His presence on the list illustrates how private-sector figures can shape the political agenda in areas such as competition policy and online platforms.
Alongside these Scandinavian names, the EU’s institutional and national heavyweights also feature prominently. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is listed in seventh position as “the iron hand”, recognised for steering the Commission through crises ranging from the pandemic to energy and defence policy. Former Italian prime minister and ex-ECB president Mario Draghi ranks 20th as “the oracle”, reflecting his continuing influence in debates on European fiscal rules and investment.
Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas, strongly associated with a firm line on Russia and support for Ukraine, appears 16th on the list as “the undiplomat”. Together, these profiles show a ranking where Nordic leaders sit alongside central EU figures in shaping the Union’s future.
Domestic headwinds for Denmark’s influential prime minister
Politico’s portrait also emphasises that Frederiksen’s influence abroad contrasts with a more complicated picture at home. Although she remains Denmark’s longest-serving centre-left leader and heads a broad coalition government, recent opinion polls and local elections have revealed weaknesses.
Her Social Democrats suffered a significant setback in municipal elections, losing control of several councils, including Copenhagen, for the first time in more than a century. National polling has shown support for the party at or near its lowest levels in many years, reflecting concerns over housing, public services and trust in government.
Frederiksen continues to face criticism for her handling of the mink cull during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the government ordered the killing of around 17 million animals to contain a virus mutation. The episode raised questions about the legality and proportionality of the decision and continues to resonate in Danish politics.
Domestically, opponents also accuse her of being excessively focused on power – a charge Politico notes with the Danish term “magtgal” (power mad). At the same time, parts of the left criticise her rightward turn on migration and security, arguing that it alienates younger, urban and progressive voters. Politico recalls her dismissive response to left-wing critics, quoting her question: “If they have better policies, why aren’t they winning elections?” Frederiksen has largely brushed off these critiques, pointing to her electoral record and arguing that effective policies are those that win democratic support.
