Abdelmadjid Tebboune vs Elio Di Rupo

Tebboune was appointed Prime Minister by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in May 2017. He served for three months before being dismissed, a period marked by political instability and economic challenges.

Tebboune won the December 2019 presidential election with 58% of the vote, following the resignation of Bouteflika amid mass protests. The election was boycotted by the Hirak movement, leading to low turnout and questions about legitimacy.

Tebboune oversaw a constitutional referendum in November 2020, which introduced limits on presidential terms and strengthened parliamentary powers. The reform was seen as a response to Hirak demands, but critics argued it did not go far enough.

Tebboune's government implemented lockdowns and a health state of emergency to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He himself contracted the virus in October 2020 and was hospitalized in Germany, raising concerns about leadership continuity.

Tebboune severed diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021, citing hostile acts and the normalization of ties between Morocco and Israel. The move deepened the Western Sahara conflict and strained regional alliances.

Under Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Belgium enacted a sixth state reform that transferred more powers to the regions and communities, including justice, traffic laws, and parts of social security. This was part of the coalition agreement to resolve the political crisis.

Elio Di Rupo became Prime Minister of Belgium, leading a coalition government after a record 541-day political crisis. He was the first openly gay head of government in the world and the first Francophone socialist PM in decades.

Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo's government achieved a balanced federal budget for the first time in decades, meeting EU deficit targets. This was accomplished through austerity measures and tax increases, which were controversial but stabilized public finances.