Seven Questions: Mexico’s Presidential Race

FOREIGN POLICY: What are the big issues driving the campaign?

Michael Shifter: The main divisions have to do with economic policy and the best way for Mexico to grow. [The campaign] really is focused on national issues, not on foreign policy. It is focusing on Mexicos strategy to become a competitive economy, to grow and to better distribute the benefits [of growth] to the vast majority of Mexicans. Job creation has to be regarded as a central issue.

FP: Are U.S. debates about immigration reform playing a role in the election?

MS: I think they are playing a role, but that is not the issue that most sharply divides the candidates. Mexicans are paying attention to the debate in the United States, but there is essentially pretty broad agreement among the candidates on immigration issues and what they would like from the United States. So its not an issue that really distinguishes one candidate from the other, whereas economic policy does.

FP: Does the U.S. Congresss decision to delay immigration reform help [Andrs Manuel] Lpez Obradors campaign?

MS: On the margins, yes. [Felipe] Caldern is associated with the current Vicente Fox government and represents continuity, so if congress fails to reach an agreement, thats certainly seen as a setback for the Fox administration and benefits Lpez Obrador.

FP: Fox was unable to move forward on many aspects of his reform agenda. Are Mexicans generally disappointed with their post-PRI experience?

MS: Yes. I think they had high expectations and they have been let down. Maybe they had unrealistically high expectations when Fox came in. Seven decades of PRI rule were behind them, [and they thought] it would be easy to transform the country. It proved to be much more difficult, and Fox proved to be much less effective than people thought he would be. So, yes, there has been a sense of disappointment and the crucial reform agenda is still pending. I think it is going to be hard for any government to get it through.

FP: Mexico was under one-party rule until 2000, so in some ways Mexican democracy is really only six years old. Is Mexico a fragile democracy?

MS: No. It is becoming stronger. While it is true that the 2000 election was the first time in seven decades that you had a Mexican president who was not from the PRI party, there has been a gradual building of electoral reform and political reform in Mexico over the years. This is a process that is much more stable and more secure than people think. There is a broad consensus in Mexican society to move forward on a democratic path. Clearly, there are serious weaknesses and there are a lot of strain, particularly related to violence and drugs. Political institutions are not robust, but I dont think there is a high risk of a breakdown. [Whoever] wins, I think he is going to continue on a slow but steady path to building stronger institutions.

FP: Would a Lpez Obrador victory signal a rejection of U.S. policy in the region, considering the election of other leftist leaders in Latin America?

MS: Lpez Obrador is somebody who, unlike Hugo Chvez, has been a politician his entire career. I think he is going to be pragmatic. His central agenda is to deliver on his promises to Mexicans and he is smart enough to know that he is not going to be able to do that unless he has good relations with the United States. It doesnt mean that he is going to surrender and be an unconditional ally on all issues. There likely will be areas of disagreement, but he understands that the connections between the U.S. and Mexico are profound.

FP: Are Mexicans learning American-style negative political campaigning?

MS: It does bear a resemblance and there are some parallels in the campaign practices. It came out in the debate when Lpez Obrador accused Caldern of making payments to his brother-in-law, and then in [Calderns] association of Lpez Obrador with Chvez. This is something new for Mexico. Unfortunately, some of the less admirable aspects of U.S. campaigns are creeping into the Mexican system.

Michael Shifter is vice president for policy at the Inter-American Dialogue and adjunct professor of Latin American politics at Georgetown University.