The shortlist was announced on NBC’s Today show, revealing that Donald Trump, Caitlyn Jenner, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, the Black Lives Matter activists – and al-Baghdadi – are all in the running for the accolade.
The magazine traditionally honours the individual or group that has had the biggest impact on the world and the news agenda over the past year – whether positive or negative.
Last year the Ebola Fighters were recognised for their work by being awarded the title as a group.
Time highlighted Jenner’s coming out as a transgender woman as having inspired widespread discussions about gender identity, while Rouhani was cited for attempting to “bring his country out of pariah status and repair its sanctions-crippled economy by pursuing a nuclear deal with the West”.
Time magazine said the Black Lives Matter activists have "have protested inequality towards African Americans, especially in their treatment by law enforcement".
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has "stirred debate about the party’s future".
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is "seeking to bring his country out of pariah status and repair its sanctions-crippled economy by pursuing a nuclear deal with the West".
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick "drove his car-hailing company to a nearly $70 billion valuation, but also drew criticism about the downside of the sharing economy".
Caitlyn Jenner's coming out as a transgender woman "prompted widespread conversations about gender identity and issues of equality for the LGBT community".
Angela Merkel has "been at the center of major news events this year, from economic strife in the Eurozone to Europe’s ongoing migrant crisis".
Vladimir Putin has "defied Western sanctions over his country’s military activity in Ukraine to play a critical but precarious role in the war on ISIS".
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has "inspired followers to both fight in his self-declared caliphate of Iraq and Syria, and also stage attacks in countries like Tunisia and France".
Uber’s Kalanik was recognised for the success of Uber but also for the criticism the company has attracted over “the downside of the sharing economy”.
The Time Person of the Year 2015 will be revealed on Wednesday on NBC’s Today programme.
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