Leftist politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has assumed Mexico’s presidency with a promise to profoundly transform Latin America’s second-biggest economy and to lead a government fre
Amy Guthrie and Mark Stevenson
December 2 2018 8:20 AM
Leftist politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has assumed Mexico’s presidency with a promise to profoundly transform Latin America’s second-biggest economy and to lead a government free of corruption.
Seemingly tireless at the age of 65, Mr Lopez Obrador breezed through a day of public appearances that included taking the oath of office and speaking to congress and attending an inaugural celebration at Mexico City’s vast main square.
He received a spiritual cleansing by indigenous leaders as part of the festivities, then closed out the gathering with a folksy 90-minute speech to the thousands of jubilant fans jamming the Zocalo, vowing to help the poor in a nation where almost half the population lives in poverty.
« We are going to govern for everyone, but we are going to give preference to the most impoverished and vulnerable, » Mr Lopez Obrador said.
« For the good of all, the poor come first. »
Speaking in a personal style he honed over decades of small-town rallies, he told the crowd: « Be patient and have confidence in me. »
Hopes for change are running high among the more than 30 million Mexicans who voted for Mr Lopez Obrador in a sweeping July 1 election victory that also gave his party a majority in congress.
At the same time, worries are mounting among critics who see an expanding authoritarian streak.
« The country is completely divided, » said Valeria Moy, director of the Mexico, Como Vamos? think tank.
Ms Moy said she had expected a more conciliatory tone from the president, who instead blamed many of Mexico’s ills on decades of neoliberal policies that opened the country to greater trade and foreign investment.
While many are jubilant that Mexico has its first leftist president in decades, Ms Moy noted that others are concerned about the economic decisions that Mr Lopez Obrador will make, and of his use of referendums to validate his proposals.
Already, Mr Lopez Obrador has halted construction of a new 13 billion dollar airport for Mexico City after having that move backed in an unofficial referendum that saw just over 1% of voters participate.
The peso and Mexican stocks plunged in response.
After decades with a closed, state-dominated economy, Mexico’s governments since 1986 had signed more free trade agreements than almost any other nation and privatised every corner of the economy except oil and electricity.
But Mr Lopez Obrador has brought back a more insular tone not heard much since the 1960s, saying he wants to build more state-owned oil refineries and encouraging Mexicans to buy Mexican.
