John Howard vs Marine Le Pen

Following the Port Arthur massacre, Howard's government introduced strict gun control laws, including a ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons and a mandatory buyback scheme. The reforms significantly reduced gun violence in Australia.

Howard led the Liberal-National coalition to a landslide victory in the 1996 federal election, defeating Paul Keating's Labor government. His campaign focused on economic reform, family values, and a more conservative social agenda.

Howard's government introduced a 10% Goods and Services Tax, replacing the previous wholesale sales tax. The GST was a major tax reform that broadened the tax base and provided revenue for state governments, though it was politically controversial.

Howard committed Australian troops to the US-led invasion of Iraq, citing weapons of mass destruction. The decision was highly controversial and led to large public protests, but Howard argued it was necessary for global security.

Howard lost the 2007 federal election to Kevin Rudd's Labor Party, ending his 11-year tenure as prime minister. He also lost his own seat of Bennelong, becoming only the second sitting prime minister to lose his seat.

Marine Le Pen was elected president of the National Front (later renamed National Rally), succeeding her father Jean-Marie Le Pen. She began a process of de-demonization to broaden the party's appeal.

Le Pen finished second in the first round of the 2017 presidential election with 21.3% of the vote, qualifying for the runoff. She lost the runoff to Emmanuel Macron with 33.9%.

Le Pen again finished second in the first round of the 2022 presidential election with 23.15% of the vote. She lost the runoff to Emmanuel Macron with 41.5%, her best-ever result.