The BBC says Calderon will have to walk a tightrope:
Quote:
AMLO, as leader of the PRD, he has brought thousands of people out onto the capital's streets claiming he was robbed of the presidency by fraud. The potency of a long term Lopez Obrador opposition is hard to gauge. He has spoken of setting up his own government. It would not have executive power, of course. But, depending on its form, it could be a focal point for disgruntled Mexicans. It might try to disrupt successive Calderon initiatives, literally by blocking roads.
Much of this could be dismissed as stunts, but if it goes on and gains traction with a frustrated public, then all the sniping could start to sap the confidence and energy of a new administration. To his credit, Mr Calderon has been shrewd enough to recognise the potential for trouble. That is why in the past few weeks he has subtly adapted his rhetoric. He speaks less now about privatising companies and opening up the country's oil industry and more about the social deficiencies ingrained in the country. Above all, he has promised to tackle the country's poverty which sees one-in-five Mexicans not eat properly through lack of money.
Mr Lopez Obrador promised to put millions of Mexicans back to work with huge public works programmes building houses and railways. Mr Calderon has not gone that far down the road of social adjustment. But for the sake of peace and progress he may have to swallow hard and trim some of his more free market, conservative ambitions, whilst at the same time drag this habitually under-performing country into the brutal realities of a globalised world. BBC NEWS | Americas | Tightrope awaits Mexico's Calderon |
I heard Calderon in an interview a couple of days ago and remember his comment to the effect Mexicans needed to realize their struggle isn't against each other rather than against the whole world in a competitive market.
He has extended olive branches to the lefty loser, seems willing to compromise. Definitely seems more engaged with the legislature, has suggested allocating cabinet posts depending on the number of supportive legislators the appointee offers.
The PAN alone cannot accomplish much in the legislature without support from other parties as they barely control a third of the seats, but if the lefty loser's remains as staunchly opposed to anything other than his own appointment its unlikely the PAN will accomplish anything with the PRD and instead will work with the PRI to bring about much-needed reforms.