Mexico City – Mexico’s ruling party candidate for president, confident a recount will confirm his slight lead in the disputed race, said Wednesday he wanted to heal the rifts from a bitter campaign that divided the country along class lines.
Conservative Felipe Calderon told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview that if he wins, he is willing to offer a Cabinet post to his leftist rival Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
“I want to be the head of a unity government,” Calderon said.
“I invite my adversaries to join my quest.” But Calderon said he did not think Lopez Obrador would accept his offer.
A preliminary count in Mexico’s closest presidential election in its history showed Calderon of outgoing President Vicente Fox’s National Action Party winning Sunday’s election by a mere percentage point over former Mexico City Mayor Lopez Obrador of the Democratic Revolution Party.
Electoral officials began a marathon review of vote tallies on Wednesday to determine once and for all who won. Election workers at 300 district headquarters across the country were adding up the tallies compiled election day by poll volunteers. Under law, they must work around the clock.
But Calderon remained confident he would emerge the winner.
“I won. I have more votes than Lopez Obrador, and I will be the next president,” he said. “Don’t make a big deal out of nothing.” He dismissed small street protests in favor of Lopez Obrador as irresponsible, saying: “Elections aren’t won in the street, only at the ballot box.” Calderon appeared confident and energized during the interview, unlike during the campaign, when he was often tired and even stiff at campaign rallies.
Calderon said he has not spoken to Lopez Obrador since the elections, but he had instructed his party’s officials to reach out to the Democratic Revolution Party as well as the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.
“Of course I would like us to join forces,” Calderon said at his campaign headquarters. “I’m ready to join forces because Mexico needs all of us.” Roberto Madrazo, the candidate for the PRI, which ruled Mexico for 71 years until losing to Fox in 2000, finished a distant third in Sunday’s presidential race.
The interview came shortly after Lopez Obrador’s party Democratic Revolution said it will not concede the presidency without a ballot-by-ballot recount – something electoral officials say cannot be done.
“Fortunately, Mexican elections don’t depend on what Democratic Revolution has to say,” Calderon said. “They depend on what the election authorities and the law say.” Calderon said he would defend his victory, in court if necessary.
“Of course if (Democratic Revolution) presents a challenge, we will win in the final analysis,” Calderon said. “All other political parties must recognize our victory.” As he left the interview, dozens of campaign workers burst into applause, chanting “Presidente! Presidente!” and “Felipe! Felipe!” In a rare show of emotion, Calderon grinned widely, waved both hands in the air and then did a small hop as he ran up the stairs to salute his supporters from the building’s upper floors.
If his victory is confirmed, Calderon will take office on Dec. 1. Fox plans to retire to his ranch in central Mexico because he is limited by the constitution to one, six-year term.
