Bidzina Ivanishvili vs Macky Sall

Ivanishvili acquired Cartu Bank and built a vast business empire in Russia and Georgia, becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the region. He used his fortune to fund philanthropic projects, including cultural and educational initiatives, which boosted his public image.

The Georgian government under Mikheil Saakashvili revoked Ivanishvili's citizenship, citing his dual citizenship with Russia and France. This move was seen as politically motivated to prevent him from entering politics, but Ivanishvili successfully challenged the decision in court.

Bidzina Ivanishvili founded the Georgian Dream coalition to challenge the ruling United National Movement of President Mikheil Saakashvili. The coalition won the parliamentary elections, ending Saakashvili's dominance and marking a major shift in Georgian politics.

Ivanishvili was appointed Prime Minister of Georgia after his coalition's electoral victory. He implemented reforms in the judiciary and economy, but his tenure was marked by tensions with the opposition and accusations of selective justice against former officials.

Ivanishvili resigned as Prime Minister after one year in office, fulfilling a promise to step down after stabilizing the political situation. He remained influential as the leader of the Georgian Dream party, continuing to shape policy from behind the scenes.

Macky Sall won the presidential election in a runoff against incumbent Abdoulaye Wade. His victory was seen as a defense of democratic norms after Wade's controversial third-term bid.

Sall launched the Plan Senegal Emergent, a national development strategy focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, and energy. The plan aimed to achieve middle-income status by 2035.

Sall oversaw a constitutional referendum that reduced the presidential term from seven to five years and limited the president to two terms. The reform was intended to strengthen democratic institutions.

Sall was re-elected in the first round with 58.3% of the vote. The election was peaceful but criticized by opposition for excluding some candidates, though international observers noted improvements.