Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s victory signals start of new political era

World Today

Mexico’s President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez met with Mexico’s current leader at the National Palace in Mexico City on Tuesday as Lopez prepares for the transition to a new government in December. CGTN’s Franc Contreras reports.

A meeting on Tuesday between Andres Manuel Lopez, the winner of Mexico’s presidential election, and incumbent Enrique Pena Nieto has been characterized as respectful by both men

Both Lopez Obrador and Pena Nieto agreed that the monetary policy under Mexico’s Central Bank will remain the same and also discussed the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and security issues.

Obrador said his government will work with the United States and Canada in an effort to rescue NAFTA and that his government will also not intervene when it comes to exchange rates between the dollar and peso.

AMLO has also stated that he wants to change, what he calls, a failed policy on security and drug violence, and had said that fighting poverty and inequality was the best approach during his campaign.

However, Jorge Javier Romero, an analyst at Mexico City Autonomous Metropolitan University said AMLO will take over an economy that barely grows two percent annually and population that receives low salaries.

“The challenge is huge,” Romero said. “A salary increase policy must be set in motion to reactivate the domestic market even at the expense of short-term international competitiveness.”

Away from domestic politics, AMLO also said he will be meeting the U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the bilateral relation between Mexico and the United States but a date has yet to be confirmed. AMLO also spoke with President Trump over the phone on Monday when Trump called to congratulate him on his win.