And pushing the all-important fiscal reforms through an opposition-dominated Congress will require decisive leadership from Mr de la Rua.

ECONOMIST: Aid for Argentina

Mr Sharon went on to become leader of the right-wing Likud Party in opposition after Mr Netanyahu's decisive defeat in the 1999 general election.

BBC: Profile: Ariel Sharon

In the second round, the endorsement of the five opposition candidates who had been eliminated in the first round made Mr Kufuor's lead even more decisive.

BBC: Ghana election profile: John Kufuor