Mette Frederiksen Named Gazeta Wyborcza Person of the Year 2026

Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, has been named the 2026 Person of the Year by the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.

The announcement was accompanied by a laudation delivered by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

During the event, Frederiksen spoke about the influence of Polish perspectives on her own understanding of regional security and historical context. She noted that she had learned significantly from the people of Poland, specifically regarding history and the current situations in Russia and Ukraine.

I have learned a lot from the people of Poland. About Russia, Ukraine, history

Mette Frederiksen

In addition to the primary honor, Gazeta Wyborcza presented a special award to Andrzej Poczobut, a Belarusian journalist.

Context of the Award

Gazeta Wyborcza is one of Poland’s most prominent daily newspapers. Its Person of the Year designation is a recurring recognition awarded to individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership or impact on public and international affairs.

The selection of the Danish Prime Minister reflects the diplomatic and security ties between Denmark and Poland. Both nations are members of NATO and the European Union, and have coordinated closely on policies regarding the defense of Ukraine and the containment of Russian influence in Eastern Europe.