Alexander Kerensky vs Sixto Duran Ballen

After the February Revolution, Kerensky was appointed Minister of Justice in the Provisional Government. He was the only socialist in the cabinet and became a key figure in the government, advocating for continued war effort and gradual reforms.

Kerensky, as Prime Minister, accused General Lavr Kornilov of attempting a coup and dismissed him. Kornilov then marched troops toward Petrograd. Kerensky armed the Bolshevik Red Guards to defend the city, which strengthened the Bolsheviks' position and undermined the Provisional Government.

During the October Revolution, Bolshevik forces led by Lenin seized key points in Petrograd and stormed the Winter Palace. Kerensky fled the city in a car provided by the American embassy, leaving the Provisional Government to collapse. He later went into exile.

After fleeing Russia, Kerensky settled in Paris and later the United States. He wrote memoirs and continued to advocate for democratic socialism, but failed to gain significant support. He remained a controversial figure, blamed by both the left and right for the failure of the Provisional Government.

Duran Ballen implemented a series of neoliberal economic reforms, including trade liberalization, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and deregulation. These reforms aimed to modernize the economy but faced opposition from labor unions.

Sixto Duran Ballen was elected President of Ecuador as the candidate of the Republican Unity Party. He campaigned on a platform of economic modernization and anti-corruption.

During Duran Ballen's presidency, a brief armed conflict erupted with Peru over a disputed border area in the Cenepa region. The conflict resulted in casualties on both sides before a ceasefire was negotiated.

Duran Ballen completed his full four-year presidential term and peacefully transferred power to his elected successor, Abdal Bucaram. This was a rare instance of democratic continuity in Ecuador.