Abdullah Gul vs Mohamed Muizzu

Abdullah Gul was a founding member of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), along with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The party positioned itself as conservative democratic and won the 2002 elections.

Gul served as Prime Minister of Turkey from 2002 to 2003, leading the first AK Party government. He oversaw the early phase of economic reforms and EU accession negotiations.

Gul served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003 to 2007. He played a key role in Turkey's EU accession negotiations and in improving relations with neighboring countries.

Gul was elected as the 11th President of Turkey after a contentious process. His election sparked a constitutional crisis due to his AK Party background and his wife's headscarf, leading to early elections.

As president, Gul supported Turkey's EU accession process and democratic reforms. He served until 2014, maintaining a largely ceremonial role while backing the AK Party's agenda.

Muizzu was elected President, defeating incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. His campaign focused on reducing Indian influence and strengthening ties with China, marking a significant shift in Maldivian foreign policy.

Muizzu prioritized China relations, signing agreements on infrastructure and trade. He visited China early in his term, signaling a pivot away from India, which had been the Maldives' traditional ally.

Muizzu's government formally requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, straining bilateral relations. The move was part of his 'India Out' campaign promise.

Muizzu signed a free trade agreement with China, aiming to boost economic ties and reduce dependence on India. The agreement was criticized by opposition parties as potentially compromising Maldivian sovereignty.