Mexico’s presidential front-runner promises change amid high crime and corruption

Latin America

Mexico's presidential front-runner promises change amid high crime and corruption

On Sunday, Mexico chooses its next president and members of Congress. The presidential front-runner is a left-wing populist. He promises to fight crime and corruption.

But, critics are wary of his ideas for the economy. CGTN’s Franc Contreras reports from Mexico City.

Mexico’s election campaign ended this week. Most polls indicated that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will win Sunday’s vote. Many observers expect a landslide victory for the man known by his initials, AMLO.

His closing campaign event filled Mexico City’s giant Azteca Stadium. Lopez Obrador promises to govern for all Mexicans. He said that he’ll work to spur regional development.

His top priority will be to fight corruption in the highest echelons of power.

“I will send the Congress an initiative to reform Article 102 of the Constitution, purposing that standing presidents can be put on trial for crimes of corruption. Half way through my term, the people will be allowed to decide if I continue with my mandate,” said the Morerna Party candidate.

Most political analysts in Mexico, including Jorge Javier Romero, believe voters will give Lopez Obrador that mandate.

“The election has the characteristics of an electoral cataclysm. That’s when a new force emerges that upsets all the balance among the parties that previously controlled the political system,” explained Romero.

But Romero added that history will make it difficult for Lopez Obrador to end corruption. “It is the way that Mexican society learned to relate with power, and it has been that way since the colonial era,” said the analyst.

Security is also a key issue for Mexican voters, as the homicide rate climbed in regions controlled by drug trafficking organizations. Better paying jobs and ending economic inequality are also on the minds of voters.

This week, other candidates also closed their campaigns and also addressed those issues.

Officials at Mexico’s National Electoral Institute say the results will be known Sunday night. The stage is set and the only thing missing is the actual vote set to take place Sunday with millions of people casting their ballots.

Jason Marczak on Mexico’s election on eve of voting day

For more on Mexico’s presidential race and its favorite to win, CGTN’s Frances Kuo talked with Jason Marczak. He’s director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic Council.