Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi vs Ilir Meta

Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was elected as the sole candidate in a February 2012 election, succeeding Ali Abdullah Saleh after the Arab Spring. The election was part of a transitional deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Houthi rebels seized control of the capital Sanaa in September 2014, forcing Hadi's government into a power-sharing agreement. This marked the beginning of the Yemeni Civil War and Hadi's loss of effective control.

After Houthi forces advanced on Aden, Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia in March 2015, establishing a government-in-exile. This led to a Saudi-led military intervention to restore his government.

Hadi resigned as president in April 2022, transferring power to a Presidential Leadership Council. This was part of a UN-brokered truce and aimed at unifying anti-Houthi factions.

Meta was elected President by parliament, serving until 2022. His presidency was marked by frequent clashes with Prime Minister Edi Rama, leading to political instability.

Meta opposed Rama's judicial reform, vetoing laws and calling for a referendum. This led to a constitutional crisis and protests, with the EU mediating the dispute.

Meta was impeached by the Albanian parliament for allegedly violating the constitution by interfering in elections. The Constitutional Court later dismissed the impeachment, but the process deepened political divisions.

Meta's term ended in 2022, and he was succeeded by Bajram Begaj. His presidency was one of the most contentious in Albanian history, marked by constant conflict with the government.