Eddie Fenech Adami vs Nikola Gruevski

Fenech Adami became Prime Minister of Malta in 1987, leading the Nationalist Party to victory after 16 years of Labour rule. His election marked a shift towards pro-European policies and economic liberalization.

Fenech Adami's government formally applied for Malta to join the European Community (later EU) in July 1990. This was a defining policy shift, though membership was delayed due to political changes and a subsequent Labour government.

Fenech Adami returned to power in 1998 after a brief Labour interlude. He immediately reactivated Malta's EU membership application, which had been frozen by the previous government, and resumed accession negotiations.

Fenech Adami signed the Treaty of Accession in Athens on April 16, 2003, formalizing Malta's entry into the European Union. This was the culmination of his long-standing pro-European policy.

Malta became a full member of the European Union on May 1, 2004, under Fenech Adami's leadership. This event marked a major shift in Malta's foreign policy and economic orientation.

Fenech Adami resigned as Prime Minister in March 2004, shortly before Malta's EU accession, and was succeeded by Lawrence Gonzi. He had served as Prime Minister for a total of 15 years across two terms.

Gruevski became Prime Minister after his party VMRO-DPMNE won the parliamentary elections. He began a decade-long rule marked by nationalist policies and economic growth.

Gruevski launched a large-scale urban renewal project in Skopje, building statues and buildings in a neoclassical style, including a statue of Alexander the Great. The project aimed to assert Macedonian identity but was criticized for cost and historical revisionism.

Opposition leader Zoran Zaev released wiretapped conversations allegedly showing Gruevski's government involved in corruption, election rigging, and media control. This sparked massive protests and a political crisis.

Under pressure from the wiretapping scandal and international mediation, Gruevski resigned, paving the way for early elections. His resignation ended his decade-long rule.

After being sentenced to two years in prison for corruption related to the purchase of a luxury vehicle, Gruevski fled to Hungary, where he was granted political asylum. This caused a diplomatic rift between Macedonia and Hungary.