Felipe Calderon officially recognized as president-elect of Mexico

Mexico’s top electoral court unanimously voted to certify Felipe Calderon as president-elect after rejecting claims of fraud made by leftist rival Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
The decision made by the court sparked protests by Obrado supporters who have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Calderon’s election.

Obrador contended that an ad campaign comparing him to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez slandered his name and illegally affected the outcome of Mexico’s closest presidential election ever. 

The ruling by the Federal Electoral Tribunal comes two months after the election divided the country. The decision cannot be appealed.

As the leader of the Democratic Revolution Party, Obrado’s leftist ideals gained the support of those in Mexico City and poorer rural areas in the southern areas of Mexico. After the decision by the court was made Obrado said he would not recognize the ruling and said he would set up a “parallel” government stating that Mexico needed a “revolution.”

Calderon, a former energy minister, drew the support of the industrial north. The conservative leader of the National Action Party (PAN) will assume office December 1, when current President Vincente Fox ends his six-year term. With the gains PAN made in Congress, Calderon could find his proposals easier to pass than fellow party member Fox.

Energy, labor and fiscal reforms are among the areas that Calderon will have to focus his attention. He has promised to remain a close ally of the U.S. and continue supporting free trade policies. 

It is that promise that has divided so many Mexicans. Nearly 50 percent of the Mexican people are poor and receive no benefit from their country’s relationship with the U.S. It is believed that those promises will only translate into further wealth for those who voted for Calderon.

On the campaign trail Calderon promised to address the needs of all Mexican people. He plans to institute tax exemptions for businesses who hire more young people and has proposed a lower and flat rate income tax. To further lighten the economic hardship suffered by so many, Calderon has proposed no income tax on those with low salaries. He has also expressed a desire to expand healthcare services and education.