Politics: Mexico: Presidential vote split evenly on "quick count" between Left and R+t

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As of Monday, July3,2k6, the electoral forces of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador representing the Left in all its factions under the banner of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, and the forces of Felipe Calderon of the National Action Party (successor candidate to the current Mexican President, Vincente Fox, and his Energy Ministry at 43 yrs old), together they had lined up with a dramatic evenness, leaving the former dictatorship of a unitary state, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) trailing at a very distant third.

Roberto Madrazo, candidate of the PRI, which ruled Mexico for seven decades until 2000, was never a factor in the race. He cast his ballot in Villahermosa on the oil-rich Gulf coast, saying he was sure he would win.

But in Mexico City, the streets belonged to the leftists, who flocked by the thousands into Zocalo Square, eating tamales from street vendors and waving communist flags.

Even the legendary Subcomandante Marcos -- the Zapatista leader who became a hero to the impoverished indigenous population -- showed up in Angel of Liberty Square, wearing his black mask and smoking a pipe.

He immediately was surrounded by Marxist groups, labor unions and Indians. Only a tight circle of supporters prevented him from being crushed by the crowd.

It will take a few days for the detailed count to be completed. Stay tuned.

––Politicarp

Further Resources:

BBC UPdate: Calderon leads by 1%, as counting of votes continues
Conservative edges ahead in Mexican vote, recount ordered, Jul 3,7pm