Dalia Grybauskaite vs Friedrich Merz

Dalia Grybauskaite was elected President of Lithuania in May 2009, becoming the first female president in the country's history. She won with 68% of the vote, running as an independent candidate with a platform of anti-corruption and fiscal responsibility.

Grybauskaite was re-elected for a second term in May 2014, winning 57% of the vote in the first round. Her second term focused on strengthening Lithuania's defense against Russian aggression and deepening European Union integration.

Grybauskaite took a strong stance against Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, calling for NATO to increase its presence in the Baltic region. She advocated for sanctions against Russia and supported Ukraine's sovereignty, earning her the nickname 'Iron Lady'.

After a decade away from frontline politics, Merz returned to run for the CDU leadership. He had left politics in 2009 to pursue a business career, including roles on the boards of BlackRock and other companies.

Merz lost the CDU leadership election to Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in 2018. The defeat was a setback, but he remained a prominent figure in the party and eventually won the leadership in 2022.

As CDU leader, Merz advocated for economic liberalization, including tax cuts, deregulation, and a more market-oriented energy policy. His positions marked a shift from the centrist policies of Angela Merkel.

Friedrich Merz was elected as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), succeeding Armin Laschet. He became the main opposition leader in Germany, positioning the CDU for the next federal election.