‘AMLO’ wins Mexican presidency

Mexico City, July 2 

Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador swept to victory in Mexico’s presidential election today, in a political sea change driven by voters’ anger over endemic corruption and brutal violence.

The sharp-tongued, silver-haired politician known as “AMLO” won 53 per cent of the vote, according to an official projection of the results.

It is the first time in Mexico’s modern history a candidate has won more than half the vote in a competitive election, and a resounding rejection of the two parties that have governed the country for nearly a century. 

It is a major shift in Mexican politics: Lopez Obrador will be the country’s first leftist president in recent history when he takes office on December 1. “This is a historic day, and it will be a memorable night,” Lopez Obrador said in a victory speech, as thousands of ecstatic supporters flooded the capital’s central district, chanting “Yes we did!” and partying to mariachi music.

Lopez Obrador, 64, sought to downplay fears of radicalism, after critics branded him a “tropical Messiah” who would install Venezuela-style policies that could wreck Latin America’s second-largest economy.

He also vowed to pursue a relationship of “friendship and cooperation” with the US, Mexico’s key trading partner-a change in tone from some comments during the campaign, when he said he would put US President Donald Trump “in his place.” Trump, whose anti-trade, anti-immigration policies have infuriated Mexico, appeared ready to start off on the right foot. “I look very much forward to working with him,” he tweeted. “There is much to be done that will benefit both the US and Mexico!” 

Canada’s Justin Trudeau echoed the congratulations while emphasising his country’s work with Mexico to renegotiate the NAFTA trade agreement. — AFP