Palmiro Togliatti vs Sebastian Kurz

Togliatti was a founding member of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) at its congress in Livorno. The party split from the Socialist Party over adherence to the Comintern. Togliatti became a central leader, guiding the party through the Fascist period and exile.

Togliatti, returning from exile in the Soviet Union, announced the 'Salerno Turn'

Togliatti was shot and seriously wounded by a right-wing student outside the Italian Parliament. The attack triggered a general strike and widespread protests, but the PCI leadership called for calm to avoid civil war. Togliatti survived and returned to lead the party.

After Khrushchev's secret speech denouncing Stalin, Togliatti developed the theory of 'polycentrism' in the communist movement. He argued for national paths to socialism independent of Moscow. This doctrine influenced the Eurocommunist movement and distanced the PCI from Soviet control.

Sebastian Kurz became Chancellor of Austria on December 18, 2017, at age 31, the youngest in Austrian history. He led a coalition between his Austrian People's Party and the Freedom Party of Austria.

On May 18, 2019, a video surfaced showing Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache offering government contracts. Kurz ended the coalition on May 20, leading to a snap election. The scandal severely damaged the FP

On May 27, 2019, Kurz lost a vote of no confidence in the National Council, the first successful such vote in Austrian history. He was removed from office and replaced by a caretaker government led by Brigitte Bierlein.

Kurz returned as Chancellor on January 7, 2020, leading a coalition with the Greens. In October 2021, prosecutors raided his offices as part of a corruption investigation into alleged misuse of public funds for positive media coverage.

Kurz resigned as Chancellor on October 9, 2021, following the corruption investigation. He was succeeded by Alexander Schallenberg. Kurz remained party leader but stepped down from government to avoid further instability.