Europe's next crop

Much of global attention is affixed on the United States presidential election this fall. After all, an alternative leadership seems to be emerging there. Its leading lights are figures who are navigating away from the mainstream, presenting ideas that are radical, but sometimes leave a bad taste. The attention they are getting is warranted; given what is at stake is the gavel of the "leader of the free world".

But what is being overlooked in the process is the nature of leadership that is emerging in other major countries. Chief of these regions is the European Union (EU), which is currently battling multiple crises.

Much of the EU is yet to recover back to the pre-crisis economic vitality. Then there is the migrant crisis whose handling is driving a wedge between prosperous countries in the North and West and less well-off countries in the East of Europe. Inject some more acrimony as there is a threat to this political union in the garb of Brexit, and now monetary easing. Add to that mix the agonizing urgency for better law-enforcement coordination and de-radicalization to avoid the repeat of attacks like Paris and Brussels.

The upstarts in major European capitals offer interesting comparisons. In the UK, political star of current mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is shining bright as he has placed his bets on Brexit. A journalist in his early career, this hopeful for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party is a fine orator. In the Brexit debate, Johnson has come out in favour of Britain leaving the EU, directly challenging David Cameron. He has even chided US President Barack Obama as a "hypocrite" over the latter's stance on Brexit.

Where Johnson is being viewed as against European Federalism, the rising star in France is calling for more integration and openness. Emmanuel Macron, the 38-year old Economy Minister of France, has charmed le public français since his appointment less than two years ago. Not only popular among the public, this former investment banker's policies and grit are being regularly praised by leading business journals and tycoons. After all, he has tried to get business going in a socialist government.

Perhaps due to his background, Macron has occupied the centrist posture. As an outsider, he is being viewed as someone who can bridge the divide between France's left and right and who can unify the people. He is urging his countrymen that only reforming their nation's socioeconomic pillars - chiefly the welfare system and labour laws - can guarantee long-term prosperity. With his political movement, "En marche," launched earlier this month, Macron, who doesn't have a political base of his own, may see his political currency soar further.

What about Germany, the European powerhouse? Who is going to take the place of Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor who is the closest Europe has come to an Iron Lady since Maggie Thatcher? Under Ms. Merkel's stewardship, the EU has largely held its founding ideas together in some really difficult times. There are two prominent alternatives to take her mantle.

One of them is an old hand, the German Finance Minister, Wolfgang. Schäuble, who survived multiple gunshots in a 1990 assassination attempt on his life and has used a wheelchair since, has a reputation for driving a hard bargain and showing little concern for diplomatic niceties. Anticipating that the far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), is gathering more momentum on the heels of a looming savings crisis and refugee settlement, Schäuble has lately hardened his tone towards ECB's monetary handling.

But Schäuble is already 73 years old, and if he chooses not to run next year, then Ursula von der Leyen, the German Defence Minister, may emerge as a string contender. Born in privilege, the 57-years old Ms. Leyen entered political life rather late, in 2003. But since joining Ms. Merkel's government as a minister in 2005, she has made a name for herself championing rights for women, children, and senior citizens. She isn't afraid to send soldiers to fight abroad. She passionately supports further European integration.

These leaders may have different approaches, but they are facing a similar theme in their countries: anger over economic stress, compounded by influx of refugees and rise of extremism. What happens in the US presidential elections, of course, will matter. But which side wins the Brexit referendum this June and who comes on top in the German and French elections next year are no less important for a world whose affinity for cultural and economic integration seems to have come to a halt.