Dries van Agt vs Robert Abela

Van Agt became prime minister after the CDA won the most seats in the 1977 election. He formed a coalition with the VVD, ending a long period of left-wing governments. His premiership was marked by economic stagnation and social tensions.

Van Agt's first cabinet faced economic crisis with high unemployment and inflation. It implemented austerity measures, including cuts to social spending. The cabinet was also marked by internal conflicts, particularly over nuclear energy and the placement of cruise missiles.

Van Agt made an official visit to South Africa, meeting with Prime Minister P.W. Botha. This was highly controversial due to South Africa's apartheid regime. The visit was criticized by anti-apartheid activists and damaged the Netherlands' reputation as a human rights advocate.

Van Agt resigned after his second cabinet (with PvdA and D66) collapsed over economic policy disagreements. He stepped down as CDA leader and left national politics. His tenure was seen as ineffective, with the Netherlands facing persistent economic problems.

Abela became Prime Minister of Malta in January 2020, succeeding Joseph Muscat after his resignation. He was elected by the Labour Party's parliamentary group and won a by-election to enter parliament.

Abela's government implemented lockdowns, travel restrictions, and a vaccination campaign to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Malta achieved one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe by mid-2021.

Abela pledged to implement reforms recommended by the public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. These included strengthening the rule of law, judicial independence, and media freedom.

Abela led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in the 2022 general election, winning a third consecutive term for the party. His campaign focused on economic recovery and stability.