Vladimir Putin Surges to Second in TIME 100 Poll
Vladimir Putin has surged into second place in the TIME 100 poll, far surpassing other national leaders as a nominee for the most influential figure in world politics. Russia's bellicose president has acquired notoriety abroad and adulation at home thanks to his rumored support for Ukrainian rebels and his annexation of Crimea last year. He continues to challenge European authority in the former Soviet states, and has stood by Syrian President Bashar Assad as the rest of the world has condemned his conduct in the civil war. Putin outpaces other world leaders like Pope Francis, Barack Obama and Angela Merkel in the TIME 100 poll. Celebrities have dominated the TIME 100 poll this year, with South Korean pop star Lee Chae-rin leading and Lady Gaga and Emma Watson in third and fourth place, respectively. Voting closes at 1159 p.m. EST on April 10, and the poll winner will be announced April 13. This year's official TIME 100 list will be announced April 16. You can vote in the TIME 100 reader's poll here, ,