The Tents Come Down in Mexico City

After more than 45 days of protests, residents of Mexico's capital city are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Rows and rows of protesters' tents have finally come down. Former Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) presidential candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (locally referred to as AMLO), has been forced to abandon his plans to occupy the Zocalo (Mexico City's massive main square) until his demands were met.

By now you know AMLO's demands have not been met. After he lost the July 2nd election by about 0.6%, he lost again when a partial recount favored National Action Party (PAN) candidate, Felipe Calderon. Finding no evidence of significant electoral inconsistencies, a special tribunal confirmed Calderon as the rightful president-elect.

Now that the mammoth sit-in is over, businesspeople in the city hope life will go back to normal. Few of the eclectic city's residents can describe what normal is, though. Mexico City has always been dynamic…some joke that last month's traffic jams weren't any worse than "normal."

And although the PRD seems to have gained popularity, Lopez Obrador has not. Even his supporters are grumbling about his populist ways. The PRD is in turmoil as its government members seek to reconcile their duties (and ambitions) with the impositions his antics have imposed. (Lopez Obrador announced he would establish an alternative government and have himself declared the real president). Some have openly announced they no longer support him and are bored with his tactics.

Not everyone is bored, though. Last Friday, in exchange for the removal of street barricades around the Zocalo, current President Vicente Fox agreed to move his Cry of Independence ceremony from Mexico City to the historic town of Dolores Hidalgo (just a 30-minute drive from my home in San Miguel de Allende). Lopez Obrador and his supporters had threatened to disrupt the traditional event.

The famous Grito (Cry) for independence was held without incident in Dolores Hidalgo on Saturday, complete with spectacular fireworks accompanied by traditional Mexican music. Lopez Obrador held his own ceremony with supporters in Mexico City.

What will happen next? It's anyone's guess. Lopez Obrador's alternative government has not yet taken any official action. However, a calendar of upcoming events leading up to the December 1 presidential inauguration has been released to the media. These events include more protests, rallies and press conferences. Lopez Obrador has publicly encouraged his followers to use only peaceful tactics.

In sum, the large-scale protest is over and President-Elect Felipe Calderon is poised to officially take over. Life in the capital city is taking on the usual rhythm, and the rest of the nation is busily celebrating September as the Month of Independence.

It is possible that AMLO may continue to shake things up in Mexico for awhile. But I suspect that soon everyone will get bored and move on.

And my little corner of Mexico? It is life as usual here. I don't watch television, and if I didn't have an Internet connection, I would not even know an election had taken place….

Best Regards,

Marzena Romanowicz
For International Living, Mexico

For answers to your questions about Mexico, e-mail Mexico@InternationalLiving.com.

P.S. Please don't let politics keep you from attending our Live and Prosper in Mexico Seminar next month. The seminar is scheduled for October 29-31 and we encourage you to stay on a few days after for free optional real estate tours and to experience Mexico's colorful Day of the Dead celebration. This is a fantastic time to see the colorful spectacle of tradition here in Mexico. We hope you will join us. Learn more here.

* Source: El Universal, Mexico, September 14-18, 2006.