Early on in 2015, the Washington Free Beacon commissioned a comprehensive study to determine who on planet earth most deserves the title of the World's Hottest Minister.
The decision was made from the outset that the pool of candidates must be inclusive, ensuring that no minister would be eliminated from contention due to a mere technicality. All ministers spanning the globe—whether they be active or inactive, focus on domestic affairs or international ones—were considered.
The results of the scientific study were delivered to the Washington Free Beacon months ago, on August 27, but were kept private largely due to fears that awarding the highly-sought international honor during such a tumultuous period in world history would further destabilize the international arena.
We regret that decision. Our editorial choices will not be driven by fear.
The independent agency that conducted the project has asked that it remain unnamed, due to the obvious sensitivity of the project.
To ring in the new year, I present to you the definitive World's Hottest Minister rankings:
12. Yulia Tymoshenko, Prime Minister, Ukraine (60 points)
11. Joanna Mucha, Minister of Sport and Tourism, Poland (65 points)
10. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Minister of Defense, Netherlands (68 points)
9. Ayelet Shaked, Minister of Justice, Israel (68.5 points)
8. Mimi Kodheli, Minister of Defense, Albania (71 points)
Honorable Mention: Brent Scher, Minister, Universal Life Church (N/A)
7. Aurélie Filippetti, Minister of Culture and Communications, France (84 points)
6. Elena Gabriela Udrea, Minister of Regional Development and Tourism, Romania (89 points)
5. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister, Thailand (94.5 points)
Bonus Minister, Editor's Choice: Jeff Probst, Minister, Universal Life Church (N/A)
4. Elena Kountoura, Alternate Minister of Tourism, Greece (98 points)
3. Manuela Schwesig, Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, Germany (102 points)
2. Maria Elena Boschi, Minister of Constitutional Reforms and Relations with Parliament, Italy (103 points)
1. Mara Cafagna, Minister for Equal Opportunity, Italy (130 points)
