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Mexico Institute in the News: Who will win the Mexican election?

Eric L. Olson

As Mexico's presidential race enters its final weeks, we ask if anyone can stop Enrique Pena Nieto from winning. The Mexico Institute's Eric L. Olson comments.

"[It] suddenly seems like the inevitability of his [Pena Nieto's] election is not so clear and without a doubt, the role of the students has been an important factor ... because it's been spontaneous, it's not been controlled by other parties, it's viewed as an expression of general public sentiment against a conglomerate of a news media."

- Eric Olson from the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center

Pena Nieto has benefited from widespread discontent over the way President Felipe Calderon's National Action Party (PAN) has governed Mexico, with their candidate, Josefina Vazquez Mota, floundering in the polls.

But thousands took to the streets on Sunday in protests against Pena Nieto organised by the student-led 'I am 132' movement. They oppose a return to power of his Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), whose 71-year rule of the country up until 2000 was marred by corruption and authoritarianism.

Pena Nieto has also been damaged by allegations that the country's main broadcaster, Televisa, had colluded with his party to favour his candidacy.

It is the candidate of the left, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), who narrowly lost out to Calderon in 2006, who could benefit from any backlash against Pena Nieto.

In recent weeks, Lopez Obrador has been gaining ground in the polls.

But whoever wins this election will have to grapple with a country ravaged by drug violence and poverty.

About the Author

Eric L. Olson

Eric L. Olson

Global Fellow;
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Seattle International Foundation
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Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more

Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more