Political leaders in the world are in the limelight in 2024 among geopolitical turmoil and elections being held in several countries.
As wars continue to be fought across the globe, tensions rise between NATO allies and Russia and billions of people are being called to polling stations, Express.co.uk is asking its readers who they think is the worst leader in the world.
This week will see Russians casting their ballot in an election that will likely lead to the re-election of Vladimir Putin.
His popularity in Russia is difficult to gauge due to the crackdown on media freedom and opposition politicians.
However, the unexpected momentum gained by anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin between late 2023 and early 2024 and the thousands of people who came out to honour opposition leader Alexei Navalny on the day of his funeral suggest many Russians are unhappy with Putin.
As an EU chief, Ms Von der Leyen has often clashed with Hungarian President Viktor Orban, who has been a thorn in the bloc’s side for years over issues including immigration and the support provided to Ukraine.
Mr Orban, who has been criticised by rights groups concerned he is working to undermine the checks and balances in his country, also doesn’t have a good relationship with Mr Biden’s administration.
Last year, Mr Orban fuelled concerns among Western leaders about his close ties with Russia and China, as he was the only EU leader at the Belt and Road Forum organised by Chinese President Xi Jinping – and attended also by Putin.
Tensions between Mr Xi and the West remain high, not just because of his bond with Putin bolstered following the invasion of Ukraine but also in relation to his claims on Taiwan and the aggressive policy maintained in the South China Sea.
Javier Milei was elected President of Argentina in late 2023 amid promises to turn around the state of the economy in his country and annexe the Falkland Islands. On the weekend, however, he was hit by a scandal over a substantial increase in his pay rise – following which he fired his Labour Secretary and suggested the 48 percent salary boost was “an error that should not have been made”.
Back in the European Union, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz hit a record low in popularity in a poll published in December amid a struggling economy, while France’s President Emmanuel Macron sparked concerns by refusing to rule out NATO boots may be sent to Ukraine.
