Danilo Medina vs Mariano Rajoy Brey

Medina expanded social programs, including 'Quisqueya Aprende Contigo' (literacy program) and 'Quisqueya Sin Miseria' (poverty reduction). He also increased funding for education to 4% of GDP, as required by law. These programs reduced poverty but faced implementation challenges.

Danilo Medina was elected President of the Dominican Republic in 2012, succeeding Leonel Fern

Medina's government implemented a controversial Constitutional Court ruling that stripped citizenship from thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent, retroactively to 1929. This caused a diplomatic crisis with Haiti and international condemnation, though Medina defended the ruling.

Medina was re-elected in 2016 with 61% of the vote, the highest margin since 1990. His victory was attributed to strong economic growth and social programs. However, the election was criticized for the use of state resources for his campaign.

Medina completed his second term in August 2020, handing over power to Luis Abinader of the opposition PRM. This marked the first peaceful transfer of power to an opposition party in Dominican history, a milestone for democracy.

Rajoy led the People's Party (PP) to a landslide victory in the general election, becoming Prime Minister. His government implemented austerity measures to address the economic crisis.

Rajoy's government passed a series of austerity measures, including spending cuts and tax increases, to reduce the budget deficit and meet EU requirements. These measures were widely protested.

Rajoy's government opposed the Catalan independence referendum, declaring it illegal. He invoked Article 155 of the Constitution to impose direct rule on Catalonia after the referendum was held.

Rajoy lost a no-confidence motion in the Spanish Congress of Deputies, triggered by a corruption scandal involving the PP. He was replaced by Socialist leader Pedro S