SVETLANA TIKHANOVSKAYA (Belarus Politician): Belarus almost ended before it began, with three key opposition leaders jailed before the election day. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, one of the leader's wives, was allowed to run on her husband's collected signatures and, essentially, out of pity. In an unexpected turn of events, she united with two female leaders of the other candidates' teams, and formed a trio which lifted the country out of political slumber and gave people hope. (Photo | AP)