Isaias Afwerki vs Michel Barnier

Isaias Afwerki was elected as the first president of independent Eritrea in May 1993 after a UN-supervised referendum. He has remained in power without subsequent elections, establishing a one-party state.

Isaias Afwerki led Eritrea into a border war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000. The conflict resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and ended with the Algiers Agreement, leaving the border dispute unresolved.

Isaias Afwerki's government implemented indefinite national service, requiring all Eritreans to serve in the military or national development programs. This policy led to mass emigration and human rights abuses.

Isaias Afwerki signed a peace agreement with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in July 2018, ending the state of war between the two countries. The deal led to the reopening of borders and diplomatic relations.

The European Commission appointed Michel Barnier as its chief negotiator for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. He led the EU's negotiating team through the Article 50 process.

Barnier oversaw the negotiation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol. The agreement was ratified and the UK left the EU on January 31, 2020.

President Emmanuel Macron appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister following the 2024 legislative elections. Barnier, a conservative, was tasked with forming a government in a hung parliament.