Francesco Cossiga vs Ranil Wickremesinghe

Cossiga served as Minister of the Interior from 1976 to 1978 during the Years of Lead. He oversaw security measures against terrorism, including the response to the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades in 1978.

Cossiga served as Prime Minister from August 1979 to October 1980. His government focused on combating terrorism and economic instability, but fell after losing parliamentary support over economic policies and the Bologna massacre.

Cossiga was elected President of the Italian Republic in June 1985. His presidency was marked by a shift from a ceremonial role to an active political intervention, earning him the nickname 'picconatore' (pickaxe) for his attacks on the political establishment.

Cossiga resigned as President in April 1992, two months before the end of his term, citing political isolation and frustration with the party system. His resignation was a dramatic gesture that highlighted the crisis of the First Italian Republic.

After resigning as President, Cossiga automatically became a senator for life. He continued to be an active and controversial figure in Italian politics, often criticizing the political class and advocating for institutional reforms.

As a key negotiator, Wickremesinghe helped finalize the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord, which aimed to end the Sri Lankan Civil War by devolving power to provinces and deploying Indian peacekeeping forces. The accord ultimately failed to bring lasting peace.

Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by President D.B. Wijetunga, following the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. He led the United National Party government, beginning a long political career marked by multiple terms.

Wickremesinghe, as the UNP candidate, lost the presidential election to Mahinda Rajapaksa. The defeat was partly attributed to a boycott by the Tamil Tiger rebels, which suppressed voter turnout in the north and east. This loss kept him out of power for several years.

After the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa amid economic crisis, Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister. He later became acting president and then president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. His leadership focused on stabilizing the economy and securing an IMF bailout.