Why is the leadership in CEE weaker than in Western Europe or the US/Canada?

Leadership in CEE may be weaker than leadership in Western Europe and/or the United States and Canada because there seems to be a tangible divide in the opinions of CEE citizens. Specifically, the people of various CEE countries disagree as to how civil and governmental society should be conducted. The CEE countries include the former socialist states while Western Europe, the US and Canada have all traditionally embraced a free market regime. It is safe to assume that for a leader in a CEE country to adopt a free market regime, push back from the citizens of the country would ensue. While a free market is preferable, it comes with consequences. Consequences that prior socialist views embraced, such as taking care of very poor people who cannot take care of themselves. This particular and prominent difference in opinion makes it that much more difficult for CEE leaders to lead their people. Unemployment and the gap in wealth between the rich and the poor in many CEE countries is palpable. When met with opposition from the sizeable population of people suffering financially, leaders may find it challenging to impose a free market arrangement to expand the economy because a free market system poses significant risks to the natural environment, something CEE counties value highly. Additionally, a free market system, like in the US, relies on capitalism to thrive whereas most, if not all, CEE countries had either communist or socialist governments in the last century. Without support of their people or their colleagues due to a divide in societal views and standards, leadership can be taxing. When something shows substantial challenge, it is natural for those in high positions to try to, at the very least, contain society at status quo. However and arguably, status quo is not necessarily progress and this is why leadership is difficult in CEE.