Alexander De Croo vs Canan Kaftancioglu

Alexander De Croo became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Pensions in the Di Rupo government. He later served as Minister of Development Cooperation and Minister of Finance, gaining experience in coalition governance.

De Croo became Prime Minister of Belgium, leading a seven-party coalition government. His appointment ended a 16-month political deadlock after the 2019 elections, with a focus on COVID-19 recovery and economic reforms.

De Croo's government managed the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns, vaccination rollout, and economic support. Belgium faced high infection rates and criticism over hospital capacity, but the vaccination campaign eventually reached high coverage.

De Croo hosted the NATO summit in Brussels, where leaders discussed defense spending, Afghanistan withdrawal, and relations with Russia. The summit reaffirmed NATO's collective defense commitments.

De Croo's government responded to the energy crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, implementing price caps and subsidies for households. Belgium also faced high inflation, leading to social unrest and strikes.

Kaftancioglu was elected as the Istanbul provincial chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP) on January 28, 2018. She became a prominent opposition figure, leading the party's campaign in Istanbul, a key political battleground.

Kaftancioglu was arrested on September 4, 2019, on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda and insulting the president, related to her social media posts. Her arrest was widely seen as politically motivated, drawing domestic and international criticism.

Kaftancioglu was sentenced to 9 years and 8 months in prison on March 9, 2021, for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government through the Gezi Park protests. The sentence was condemned by human rights organizations and foreign governments.

Kaftancioglu was released from prison on April 14, 2023, pending appeal, after serving over three years. Her release came ahead of the 2023 elections, but she remained under judicial restrictions, unable to engage in political activities.