The American financier and philanthropist George Soros was named the person of the year by Financial Times for his role as "standard bearer of liberal democracy and open society”.

According to the source, Soros is the “standard bearer of liberal democracy and open society. These are the ideas which triumphed in the Cold War.”

The newspaper praised Soros for using “philanthropy to battle against authoritarianism, racism and intolerance. Through his long commitment to openness, media freedom and human rights, he has attracted the wrath of authoritarian regimes and, increasingly, the national populists who continue to gain ground, particularly in Europe.”

George Soros is an American financier and investor. His activity is ambiguous: a billionaire is believed to be a financial speculator.