Calderon victory contested
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SCOTT JAGOW: Does this sound familiar? A conservative presidential candidate wins an election by a razor-thin margin. His liberal opponent and many voters demand a recount — they believe things are fishy. There is protest in the street and a general feeling of unrest. I’m not talking about the US election of 2000. I’m referring to the Mexican election a week ago. Conservative Felipe Calderon has been declared the winner, but this thing may not be over yet. Our America’s Desk correspondent Dan Grech is in Mexico City.
DAN GRECH: Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lost Mexico’s presidential election by 244,000 votes. But he says the election was stolen, and he’s demanding a recount.
He’s asked his supporters from around the country to march on the capital this coming Sunday.
Sergio Sarmiento is a commentator for TV Azteca in Mexico City. He says the country’s economy is stable enough to withstand what’s expected to be the biggest demonstration in modern Mexican history.
SERGIO SARMIENTO:“The actual demonstrations would not generate a major problem, unless Lopez Obrador starts to do what he did in 1995. At that time he blockaded oil wells or started blockaded international bridges to prevent exports. That could actually have a major economic impact.”
Lopez Obrador has urged his followers not to block roads or act violently, but the potential for instability already has some investors worried.
In Mexico City, I’m Dan Grech for Marketplace.
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