Even in Mexico, there is a populist turn. Vince López Obrador



[ad_1]

The charm of change also affects Mexico. "A profound transformation" is coming: the candidate of the left Andrés Manuel López Obrador claimed Sunday his victory in the presidential elections, defined by many as the most important in Mexican history. And it is indeed a result that marks a significant change in a country led by the same two parties for nearly 90 years. The former mayor of Mexico City, known by his initials Amlo, got about 53% of the votes. And even though the results are not yet final, his rivals have already admitted defeat and acknowledged the 64-year-old's election as the country's new leader, even if he will not install it before the first of December. However, some opponents have expressed the fear that its left-wing policies and populist rhetoric could harm the already stagnant Mexican economy and turn the country into "another Venezuela." The coming months will provide a clearer picture of how López Obrador will manage his new role.

As we explained on these columns, López Obrador was called a populist and a reformer, democratic and authoritarian, hope and ruin of Mexico, moderate and dangerous socialist, chávista, messianico and diabolico. At least for thirty years dominates the titles, wrote sixteen books, if you go anywhere in the corner of Mexico everyone knows him and have an opinion about him. López Obrador promised to tackle corruption, a "cancer that destroys this country" and that "caused social inequality and violence," promised to double pensions for the elderly and the elderly. try to improve relations with the United States. But the victory of Amlo is above all the symptom of the widespread disillusionment of the Mexicans towards the two founding parties: the Institutional Revolutionary Party (Pri) of incumbent President Enrique Peña Nieto-centrist, who was in power from 1929 to 2000 and regained presidency in 2012 – and the Conservative National Action Party (PAN). The last two successive governments, Calderón and Peña Nieto, have failed in many respects. The first declared a war against drug trafficking that caused hundreds of thousands of casualties, the latter promised the Mexicans the end of economic stagnation and corruption and then left the country bogged down in one. or the other. A sense of hopelessness generated by internal political failures has added a growing nationalist sentiment caused by the continued insults of US President Donald Trump against Mexico and its people.

Supporters of López Obrador in the party (photo LaPresse)


Ironically, the growing popularity of Amlo can be attributed in part to Donald Trump . A few days after the election of the tycoon in Washington, Mexican political badysts predicted that his open mistrust of Mexico would encourage more radical positions in Mexico. And shortly after election day López Obrador published a best-selling book titled "Oye, Trump" ("Listen, Trump") that contained some of his speeches. In one of them he had stated that "Trump and his advisers are talking about Mexicans like Hitler and the Nazis were referring to Jews just before beginning the infamous and abominable persecution. extermination". But it is not said that Trump has the same "apocalyptic" vision of Amlo: the two share a few traits, just to start populism. During the campaign, López Obrador denounced the "pharaonic government" of Mexico and promised that, when he was elected, he would give up living in Los Pinos, the sumptuous presidential residence, which he was able to visit. intention to open to the public. López Obrador focuses exclusively on internal issues: "The best foreign policy is internal," he said. According to him, the increase in wages and the creation of jobs will further reduce drug trafficking, violence and illegal immigration.

Congratulations to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for becoming the next President of Mexico. I am looking forward to working with him. United States and Mexico!

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
July 2, 2018

This could be a turning point in dealing with some of the major complaints of Americans against their southern neighbors. The White House, Sunday night, congratulated López Obrador for the victory. "I can not wait to work with him," tweeted Trump. "There is a lot to do that will bring benefits to both the United States and Mexico!"

[ad_2]
Source link