Who are the World's Most Powerful People?

Hu Jintao:

Hu Jintao is the third most powerful person in the world. Hu currently holds three offices- President of People's Republic of China, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. His rise to the presidency represented China's shift of leadership from establishment communists to younger, more realistic technocrats. He possesses a modest and reserved leadership style.

Angela Merkel:

On the fourth position is Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany. Angela heads Europe's most vibrant economy and is extensively viewed as the de facto leader of the European Union. She played an essential role in the negotiation of the Treaty of Lisbon and the Berlin Declaration. Merkel has been referred to as "the decider” and is seen as playing a crucial role in managing the financial crisis at the European and international level.