Etienne Tshisekedi vs Gerard Batten

Tshisekedi co-founded the UDPS, the main opposition party in DR Congo under Mobutu's dictatorship. The party advocated for democratic reforms and multi-party elections, facing severe repression from the regime.

Tshisekedi was appointed prime minister three times during the transition period (1991, 1992, 1997) but was each time dismissed or sidelined by Mobutu. His brief tenures were marked by political paralysis and conflict with the presidency.

After Laurent Kabila overthrew Mobutu, Tshisekedi refused to recognize the new government, calling for a national dialogue. He was placed under house arrest and later exiled, continuing his role as a persistent opposition figure.

Batten was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for London in 2004, serving until 2019. He was known for his eurosceptic views and opposition to the Lisbon Treaty, and was a vocal critic of the European Union.

Gerard Batten was elected leader of UKIP, succeeding Henry Bolton. His leadership marked a shift toward a more hardline anti-Islam stance, which led to internal splits and the departure of several senior party figures.

Batten appointed far-right activist Tommy Robinson as an advisor to UKIP, a move that was widely condemned and led to further internal party conflict. The decision was seen as an attempt to appeal to anti-Islam voters but alienated moderate members.

Batten resigned as UKIP leader after a poor performance in the 2019 European Parliament elections, where UKIP lost all its seats. His tenure was marked by declining party membership and electoral collapse.