With votes being recounted south of the border, Mexico’s recent presidential election has shades of the 2000 U.S. election. The narrowest of margins separates the two candidates in the closest presidential election in the country’s history.
Of course, that scene also has played out elsewhere on the world stage in recent months, with excruciatingly close elections in Germany and Italy. The result of Mexico’s election, though, has important implications here because of its border with the United States and economic realities.
Felipe Calderón, who campaigned on promises to boost free trade and continue the pro-business policies of outgoing President Vicente Fox, has apparently prevailed with 35.88 percent of the vote. Opponent Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called for a massive opposition rally today in Mexico City’s downtown square.
He has demanded a recount, and much like the 2000 U.S. election, the ultimate winner may well be determined by a court.
López Obrador was trying to ride a wave of “leftist” sentiment that has been sweeping Latin America. The Bush administration is glad to see that tide ebb at Mexico’s southern border. Even if López Obrador doesn’t ultimately prevail, it must be sobering in Washington to see the amount of support he was able to muster.
His 35.31 percent of the vote was more than any other truly leftist candidate has been able to garner in the country.
López Obrador’s pledges to change parts of the economy that have actually brought some stability to Mexico likely scared off voters who gave him an early summer lead in the polls, political watchers say. López Obrador said he would not honor pledges under the North American Free Trade Agreement to lower tariffs on U.S. corn and beans.
Mexican voters may have been spooked by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and other leaders in the region who have been critical of Washington. In today’s global economy, elections outside our borders matter more than ever. Calderón has achieved a shaky victory, and to govern successfully he’ll have to defend the interest of Mexicans of every party and ideology.
