Lenin Moreno vs Valentina Matviyenko

Lenin Moreno won the 2017 presidential election as the candidate of the ruling PAIS Alliance, succeeding Rafael Correa. He took office on May 24, 2017, initially continuing Correa's policies before shifting to a more centrist and later conservative stance.

Moreno publicly broke with former president Correa, accusing him of corruption and mismanagement. He supported a referendum that limited presidential terms and allowed for Correa's prosecution, leading to a deep rift within the ruling party and a shift in Ecuador's political landscape.

In February 2019, Moreno's government signed a $4.2 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, requiring austerity measures including fuel subsidy cuts. This triggered massive protests in October 2019, leading to a state of emergency and the government's temporary relocation to Guayaquil.

Matviyenko was appointed Ambassador of the Soviet Union (later Russia) to Malta in 1991, serving until 1994. This was her first major diplomatic role, representing Russia in a small island nation.

Matviyenko served as Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Social Affairs from 1998 to 2003 under Prime Ministers Yevgeny Primakov, Sergei Stepashin, and Vladimir Putin. She oversaw social policy, including healthcare and education.

Matviyenko was appointed Governor of Saint Petersburg in October 2003, serving until 2011. She oversaw the city's development, including infrastructure projects and the preparation for the 300th anniversary of the city.

Valentina Matviyenko was appointed Speaker of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, in September 2011. She became the first woman to hold this position and has since been a key figure in Russian legislative politics.