In Mexico, Strains Along Democracy's Path

[Judi Lynn]

In Mexico, Strains Along Democracy's Path
Contested Vote Puts Electoral Reforms, Institutions to Test

By Manuel Roig-Franzia
Washington Post Foreign Service
Tuesday, July 25, 2006; Page A11

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's political future -- thrown into a state of uncertainty by a three-week electoral crisis -- will be decided in a boat-shaped building in this city's working-class south.

The modernist structure did not exist in 1988 during Mexico's previous disputed presidential election. Nor did the seven-magistrate electoral court it houses. Nor did a genuine Mexican democracy.

Now, pressures are building on Mexico to hold together that democratic system, which is still in its infancy six years after the end of one-party rule and a little over a decade after broad electoral reforms were enacted. The strain has raised questions about the integrity of vote-counters, and the electoral court faces major challenges ahead.

"Our transition to democracy is now entering a moment of great difficulty, of great danger," said Roger Bartra, a self-described leftist historian in Mexico City.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/24/AR2006072400991.html?nav=rss_world

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Zorra]

1. The fact that Calderon is fighting a recount strongly indicates that

he knows that the election was rigged in his favor, and that he will not be selected President if a transparent public recount is conducted.

The same can be said of Bu*h in 2000. If he had simply said "Do the recount in Florida, let's make absolutely sure there was no foul play", I could have had a measure of respect for him. Because he did not do this, but instead chose to stymie efforts toward clearing up any confusion regarding the election results in Florida, I have never considered him to be the actual President of the US. Like almost every person that is a proponent of democracy, I have absolutely no respect for George W. Bu*h; in fact I despise the man most intensely.

Calderon will forever be detested by every Mexican democrat unless he willingly consents to a transparent public recount.