IL Postcard

What is at the Top of the New President's Agenda?

Date: 09/18/2006

Mexico's President-Elect Felipe Calderon is wasting no time getting down to business. Here are some of the main policy proposals he plans to focus on immediately: The economy: ? He is pro-business and pro-foreign investment, and he proposes maintaining the fiscal policies of President Vicente Fox but wants to persuade businesses to open up jobs to young people aged between 16 and 28 through one-year tax exemptions. ? He wants to boost the economy by building a more extensive highway and road network across Mexico and by making tourism a priority. (Good news for investors in tourism areas.) ? He proposes a lower and flat-rate income tax, with no income tax for workers on minimal salaries. And tax benefits to employers who hire workers between the ages of 16 and 28. Foreign policy: ? He proposes a very active foreign policy, with a firm voice in multilateral organizations and a strong relationship with the United States. ? But…he pledges not to be a pushover for Washington, and opposes U.S. proposals to build a border wall and deploy National Guard troops along the frontier. Calderon says U.S. immigration reform is crucial. ? He vows to defend the rights of migrants in the United States by setting up a special office to give them legal assistance. He says NAFTA trade partners U.S. and Canada should help promote Mexico's economic development to stem migration. ? As a critic of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Calderon would likely continue Fox's policy of aggressively supporting free trade in the Americas. Poverty: ? Calderon is expected to pay special attention to anti-poverty proposals early in his presidency as the tight election result and the political crisis over fraud allegations have revealed a deep class divide in Mexico. ? He plans to tackle poverty by expanding public health services, especially in rural areas, and providing universal health insurance through public and private agencies, as well as improving education in poor and indigenous communities. ? He promises to extend pension schemes for the elderly and to stem illegal migration across the U.S. border through job creation in housing and infrastructure. ? He hopes to cut the cost of agricultural seeds and fertilizer. Energy: ? He backs complementary private investment by Mexican and foreign companies in the natural gas, oil refining and petrochemicals sectors. ? He wants state oil monopoly Pemex to form technology-sharing strategic alliances with foreign oil majors, with the state maintaining control. And he aims to achieve self-sufficiency in natural gas. ? He backs further easing of Pemex's taxes so it has more to invest, and seeks to grant Pemex more autonomy. He believes Pemex needs to triple its investment to restore oil reserves. Crime: ? He vows to use tough measures to combat crime, to clean up, better train and better recruit police forces, to modernize the justice system through oral trials, and other measures already proposed by the outgoing Fox. ? He plans to create a central database for crime information and, like Fox, backs a strong military role in fighting drug trafficking. We'll be watching his progress here in Mexico and will report back to you… Best Regards, Marzena Romanowicz International Living, Mexico For answers to your questions about Mexico, please e-mail our office at Mexico@InternationalLiving.com. P.S. Don't forget about our Live and Prosper in Mexico Seminar that will take place here in San Miguel de Allende next month. The seminar will take place October 29-31 at the Hotel Real de Minas in San Miguel. Our International Living events coordinators have negotiated a special rate there of just $70 per night. If you've ever considered making the move to Mexico…full-time or part-time…there is no better, easier or less-costly way to do your homework than by joining us in San Miguel in October. Plus, this is a great time of the year to be in Mexico. November 2 is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico - a warm, colorful family tradition that you really should experience at least once. Find out more about the seminar here. I hope to see you in San Miguel de Allende next month.