IL Postcard

Mexico's Democratic Limb Why it's Not All Bad

Date: 08/03/2006

Dear Mexico First Alert Reader,

We know you have been hearing a lot of hype about Mexico's current presidential tug-o-war. Truth be told, we Mexico IL staffers had a time sorting through the barrage of information we were assaulted with in the days following the election.

It was clear to all that top candidates Felipe Calderon and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador would be neck and neck during the July 2 vote, and we were not surprised when Mexican officials stated that Calderon won by a very narrow margin of just over 200,000 votes. But, in a move reminiscent of 2000's U.S. presidential elections, Lopez was quick to demand a recount.

You all remember, no doubt, that the Florida swing-state controversy in 2000 took a month to sort out and saw the two candidates involved sink to new lows in accusations and finger-pointing. It will have taken more than two months by the time the Mexico results are finalized, though, as the appointed electoral tribunal has until August 31 to decide whether or not to hold some type of recount, and until September 6 to declare the president-elect.

Lopez claims that fraud was committed at thousands of polling stations across the country, and demands nothing less than a full recount. Lopez' call for a campaign of civil disobedience have rallied his followers in an awe-inspiring show of support.

Estimates regarding the amount of people participating in the marches and sit-ins oscillate between one and two million, though there is no way to come up with a confirmed, accurate figure. One thing is for sure, these people have united in a common cause.

The city's huge main plaza and posh Reforma Avenue are crammed with tents, protesters, the media, and police officials. Those who must venture into the area can simultaneously hear complaining businessmen, blaring salsa music, political propaganda, and news broadcasts. Urban blue- and while-collar workers find themselves in a surreal kind of camaraderie as they are all forced to trek to work together. Add to that the fact that this is Mexico's rainy season, and you get the crazy urge to laugh at just how wacky and muddled it all seems.

Many voice concerns that tourism and ease of doing business have plummeted, though the $770 billion economy is largely booming. Others cite transparency and social justice as issues of importance…are these being ignored or will this election fiasco perhaps serve to highlight areas in need of amendment?

Demonstrations to date have been large and loud, but completely non-violent, and are bound to continue, though current president Vincente Fox is now urging officials to attempt to clear the city's main arteries.

Though the decision will not be forthcoming until September 6, the next few weeks will be interesting to watch…and IL will be there every step of the way. We want to know, just as much as you, how these events and the outcome are going to affect plans to visit, invest, and live here. Check out our upcoming issue of Mexico Insider for an in-depth look at Mexico.

Best Regards,

Marzena Romanowicz,
International Living / Mexico
For answers to your questions about Mexico, e-mail Mexico@InternationalLiving.com.

P.S. For those unfortunate souls who missed our recent Live & Prosper in Mexico Conference…turns out, you are not so unlucky, after all. Mark your calendars because, as it turns out, our next seminar is slated for October 29-31 2006. We will regale you with expat tales and fill your heads with all the information you need to visit, invest, or do business here. After the conference, stick around to talk to the professionals we'll have introduced, and observe the Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This is one of the best times to be in Mexico; we hope you'll join us!