Boris Tadic vs Jordi Pujol

Boris Tadić was elected President of Serbia on June 27, 2004, defeating Tomislav Nikolić. He ran on a pro-European Union platform and served two terms until 2012, focusing on EU integration, regional cooperation, and democratic reforms.

Tadić signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union on April 29, 2008, a key step toward Serbia's EU membership. The agreement was delayed due to Serbia's cooperation with the ICTY, which Tadić pursued.

Tadić's government opposed Kosovo's declaration of independence on February 17, 2008, and sought to annul it through diplomatic and legal means. The issue dominated his presidency and strained relations with EU countries that recognized Kosovo.

Under Tadić's presidency, Serbian authorities arrested Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb general wanted for genocide, on May 26, 2011. The arrest was a condition for EU progress and improved Serbia's international standing, though it faced domestic criticism.

Pujol was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in Catalan nationalist activities, including organizing a protest during a Francoist event. He served several months in prison.

Pujol founded the CDC, a Catalan nationalist party. It became the dominant political force in Catalonia for decades, advocating for greater autonomy and cultural recognition.

Pujol was a key figure in negotiating and campaigning for the 1979 Statute of Autonomy, which granted Catalonia significant self-government powers. The statute was approved by referendum.

Pujol was elected President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the regional government, after the first democratic elections since the Franco era. He served for 23 consecutive years, until 2003.