New President of Mexico Vows to Focus on Economy

[WestVirginiaRebel]

NY Times:

MEXICO CITY — Enrique Peña Nieto became president of Mexico early Saturday, beginning a six-year term in which he has promised to accelerate economic growth, reduce the violence related to the drug war and forge closer, broader ties with the United States.

Mr. Peña Nieto took office at 12:01 a.m. in a short ceremony at the presidential residence with his immediate predecessor, Felipe Calderón.

Around 11 a.m., after arriving at the congressional chamber, Mr. Peña Nieto recited the oath of office amid cheers and jeers, mostly from leftist legislators. The national anthem was played, and he left quickly.

Facing the hostility of Congress is becoming a tradition in Mexican presidential transitions. Opposition lawmakers barricaded the doors to the congressional chamber and brawled before Mr. Calderón’s swearing-in in 2006 after a razor-close win over the leftist candidate.

In a speech Saturday afternoon before an audience of domestic and foreign dignitaries, including Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Mr. Peña Nieto promised to bring peace and prosperity to Mexicans.

“This is Mexico’s moment,” he declared.

He said he would increase support for the victims of violence, enact changes to the penal code to attack rampant impunity and move forward on economic changes to remake Mexico into a middle-class society that his advisers say will help reduce crime.

He made no promise to dismantle the drug-trafficking organizations, a focus of Mr. Calderón’s, but unveiled a sweeping 13-point plan filled with ambitious domestic goals for new passenger train lines, broader access to the Internet, pensions for the elderly, a campaign against hunger and other goals.

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Mexico enters the post-Calderon era.