Mexico to inaugurate first leftist president since it became a democracy
A leftist leader vowing to launch a “radical transformation” of Mexico and improve the lives of the poor will be sworn in as president on Saturday, opening an uncertain era in a country with deep economic and security ties with the United States.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, 65, known as AMLO, takes office as potentially the most powerful Mexican president in decades. Not only did he take 53 percent of the vote in a three-way race, but his party cinched a majority in both houses of Congress and gained control of numerous state legislatures.
López Obrador is the first leftist president since Mexico transitioned from a one-party authoritarian state to full democracy in 2000. He has promised to increase benefits for the poor, young and elderly — all while maintaining budget discipline. He has vowed to fight corruption and slash perks for senior officials, even declining to occupy Los Pinos, the Mexican White House. The estate will instead be turned into a public park, set to open Saturday.
He takes office with a 66 percent favorability rating, according to the newspaper El Financiero, while only 26percent of Mexicans approve of the performance of outgoing President Enrique Peña Nieto.
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