In September, former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi released a critical report titled The Future of European Competitiveness. Draghi's assessment warns of a critical juncture for Europe. Facing challenges such as stagnating growth, competition from global powers like the US and China, energy insecurity and geopolitical vulnerabilities - Europe appears to be at an existential crossroads. Particularly worrying is Europe's lagging innovation compared to the United States and China, as well as its failure to seize the momentum of the technological revolution. According to Draghi, Europe urgently needs to boost productivity and foster sustainable growth to address these challenges, including climate responsibility, technological leadership and financing its social model.
One question raised by this context is whether the current generation of European leaders possesses the necessary charisma to guide the continent through these turbulent times. Charisma, often associated with leadership, has been known to inspire, unite and mobilise societies. But in the face of Europe's current challenges, could charismatic leadership help turn the tide? Or is it merely a superficial trait that distracts from the core competencies needed to lead Europe into the future?
Max Weber, the German sociologist, famously defined charisma as a "gift" that imbues an individual with "supernatural, superhuman or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities" that distinguish them from the ordinary. Charisma, according to Weber, is less about concrete actions and more about the perceptions leaders create - how they present themselves and how they are received by their audience. This has led to charisma often being considered a superficial quality, one focused on appearances rather than substance.
However, charisma can also be a critical tool in effective leadership. A charismatic leader has the ability to inspire confidence, instil hope and mobilise collective action. The current political landscape provides numerous examples of charismatic leadership in action. Former US President Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are all modern leaders often described as charismatic. They project confidence, conviction and compassion - qualities that help them connect with their followers and drive engagement. These soft skills are not to be underestimated when considering a leader's ability to influence, inspire and lead a nation or an organisation towards growth and innovation.
In Europe, however, leaders with significant charisma seem few and far between. Emmanuel Macron, often described as a charismatic and pro-European leader with a "steel core", is a rare exception. On the other hand, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been labelled by the media as chancellor without charisma, underscoring his more subdued, pragmatic leadership style. Scholz, like his predecessor Angela Merkel, is seen as a leader focused on reason and stability rather than charm and rhetoric. Germany's historical experiences with charismatic leaders, particularly during the Nazi era, have perhaps instilled a cautious scepticism toward overly charismatic figures.
The question, then, is whether Europe's current stagnation is a reflection of the lack of charisma in its leadership. And if so, could more charisma actually be the remedy?
Charisma plays a vital role in soft power, which involves influencing others through attraction rather than force. Europe is often regarded as a global example of soft power, relying on diplomacy, cultural appeal and values rather than military might. Soft power is key in navigating international relations and fostering unity, and charismatic leadership can enhance these soft-power dynamics.
China, for example, has successfully leveraged soft power to extend its influence globally, ranking third in the Global Soft Power Index 2024. While the EU lags behind global competitors like the US and China in this index, charisma could be an effective lever to help close this gap. By appealing to global values such as democracy, sustainability and human rights, charismatic European leaders could potentially enhance the continent's international standing and influence.
However, charisma must be backed by substance. While it can help to "transport" values and inspire action, it should not overshadow the need for sound policy and effective governance. The pitfalls of charisma, as seen in figures like Donald Trump, demonstrate how it can easily morph into overconfidence, manipulation or personality cults. Thus, charisma without a solid foundation in competency and transparency risks being more of a distraction than an asset.
Considering the economic stagnation Draghi describes, Europe's need for charismatic leaders may be less about personal flair and more about the ability to unite diverse member states, foster innovation and build resilience. Charisma could play a role in communicating and rallying support for bold policies, particularly in the face of competition from technologically-advanced economies like the US and China.
Europe's leadership challenges are often rooted in its fragmented decision-making. As Draghi points out, Europe is adept at articulating common goals but falters when it comes to prioritising and implementing joint actions. A charismatic leader could help bridge these gaps by inspiring collective action and motivating cross-border cooperation. Macron's role on the world stage exemplifies how charisma can project European unity and ambition.
Still, charisma should not be treated as a silver bullet. Excessive focus on charisma risks overshadowing the qualities that truly matter for leadership: vision, competency and ethical governance. Charismatic leaders are prone to overconfidence and, in some cases, demagoguery. Europe's recent political history, including Germany's cautious stance on charismatic figures, highlights the potential dangers of over-reliance on charisma.
So, does Europe need more charismatic leaders? The answer is nuanced. Charisma can enhance soft power, aid in communication and inspire unity. But charisma alone is not sufficient. What Europe needs are leaders who combine the soft skills of charisma with the hard skills of policy-making, diplomacy and governance.
Moreover, Europe's future leadership must also embrace diversity. Politics remains largely male-dominated and greater gender diversity could bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to leadership. Perhaps Europe needs not just more charismatic leaders, but leaders like Kamala Harris - individuals who embody both charisma and substance, while also pushing for broader representation in leadership roles.
In the end, charisma may be an important tool, but Europe's path forward will depend on whether its leaders can balance charm with action, appeal with competence and soft power with hard results.
Dr Lina Klesper is an international legal assistant at PKF Malta