Young leaders take command of global politics

World
Europe

Sebastian Kurz, the leader of Austria's conservative People's Party, is on course to become the world’s youngest national leader.

The 31-year-old politician has declared early victory amidst similar projections.

Appointed as the youngest foreign minister in Europe at the age of 27 in 2013, Kurz is now set to join the ranks of young political leaders in the world.

In May this year, Emmanuel Macron became the youngest-ever French president at 39.

Across the Atlantic, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made headlines when he assumed office at the age of 44 in November 2015.

In Latin America, Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto began his term at the age of 46 in 2012. Despite plunging popularity in the face of protests, his push for economic reforms appeared to be gaining results and support.

In Asia, Kim Jong Un was just 28-year-old when he was declared Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after his father Kim Jong Il died in 2011. Kim Jong Un has been engaging in a war of words with US President Donald Trump, who is more than twice his age.