Frederik Willem de Klerk vs Jose Maria Guido

F.W. de Klerk was elected State President of South Africa, succeeding P.W. Botha. He represented the National Party and was initially seen as a conservative, but soon surprised observers by initiating reforms that would dismantle apartheid.

De Klerk announced the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), and the South African Communist Party. He also ordered the release of Nelson Mandela from prison on February 11, 1990, signaling the end of apartheid.

De Klerk led the National Party in the CODESA negotiations, resulting in an interim constitution that provided for a multiracial democracy. He and Mandela were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their efforts to end apartheid peacefully.

De Klerk oversaw South Africa's first fully democratic elections in April 1994, in which the ANC won overwhelmingly. He served as Deputy President under Nelson Mandela in the Government of National Unity, marking the formal end of apartheid.

After the military coup that ousted President Arturo Frondizi, the armed forces appointed Guido, then President of the Senate, as president. He served as a civilian figurehead while the military retained actual power.

Guido, under military pressure, annulled the results of the 1962 legislative and gubernatorial elections that had seen Peronist victories. This action deepened political instability and alienated Peronist supporters.

Guido's administration oversaw a military crackdown on Peronist and leftist groups, including the banning of political parties and the arrest of opposition leaders. This period saw increased state violence and censorship.

Guido oversaw the transition to civilian rule after the 1963 elections, handing power to President-elect Arturo Illia. This marked the end of the military interregnum and a return to constitutional government.