Henri Konan Bedie vs Jordi Pujol

After the death of President Felix Houphouet-Boigny in December 1993, Bedie, as President of the National Assembly, assumed the presidency. He consolidated power by sidelining rival Alassane Ouattara, whom he accused of being a foreigner.

Bedie promoted the concept of 'Ivoirit

On December 24, 1999, Bedie was overthrown in a military coup led by General Robert Guei. The coup occurred amid economic hardship and political instability, ending Bedie's presidency and marking the first coup in Cote d'Ivoire's history.

After the 1999 coup, Bedie fled to France. He returned to Cote d'Ivoire in 2001 and resumed political activity, leading his party, the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI). He remained a key opposition figure in the post-coup period.

Pujol was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in Catalan nationalist activities, including organizing a protest during a Francoist event. He served several months in prison.

Pujol founded the CDC, a Catalan nationalist party. It became the dominant political force in Catalonia for decades, advocating for greater autonomy and cultural recognition.

Pujol was a key figure in negotiating and campaigning for the 1979 Statute of Autonomy, which granted Catalonia significant self-government powers. The statute was approved by referendum.

Pujol was elected President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the regional government, after the first democratic elections since the Franco era. He served for 23 consecutive years, until 2003.