If you are Canadian, you’ll most certainly be looking forward to celebrating Canada Day on July 1, a week this Sunday. Yet, if you own Mexico real estate or are interested in buying, you might want to take a bit of time to watch the outcomes of Mexico’s presidential elections on that same day. Of course, if your American, you’ll want to take a break from your preparations for Independence Day (coming only 3 days later!)
Most polls still feel that Enrique Pena Nieto (PRI), considered to be frontrunner for most of the pre-election period, is still in the lead, although that lead is slipping. Pena Nieto is the candidate for the Institutional Revolution Party (PRI). He has been a very popular candidate and is seen as having good policies for healthcare and infrastructure; however, his party was the one which ruled Mexico for over 70 years (1929 – 2000) in a tightly closed oligarchy style and so some Mexicans are adamantly opposed to this candidate since they see his party as undemocratic. Most polls currently put his popularity somewhere between 35 and 40%; previously, it had been over 50%.
Second place seems to be very close between the two other major candidates. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the socialist candidate of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD). He has gained particular popularity among the poorer classes and many younger Mexicans, yet some investors and business owners are concerned about his leftist policies. Most polls place him between 25 and 30%.
Josefina Vazquez Mota represents the National Action Party (PAN); the last 2 presidents, Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon, are of the same party.  Her platform includes life sentences for politicians found guilty of corruption related to organized crime, more scholarships for students, labor law reform which she states will incorporate 400,000 people each year into the formal economy and fighting discrimination against women. Many investors feel this party’s policies have created good economic growth and favorable investment conditions. The most controversial policy of the current president has been his war on drugs, which critics say has cost Mexico considerable and unnecessary bloodshed; supporters point out that the conflicts have been largely limited to those involved in the drug trade, and that much of the country remains free of the violence. They also feel that the war on drugs will pay off when the power of the cartels is weakened in near future. She is Mexico’s first female presidential candidate from a major party who has gained considerable support. Most polls place her between 20 and 25%.
Because of the huge variation in polls already mentioned and a large number of undecided voters even now a bit more than a week before elections, it’s hard to say if there’s any clear indication of who the front runner is. There are a number of reputable pollsters who place the leftist Lopez Obrador in first place. One or two even claim that Josefina Vazquez Mota has moved into the lead with support as high as 40% since the last debate (June 11) in which many observers feel she performed very well.
Over the next week and a half, be sure to check up on the election. Check our blog on July 1, election day.
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Hope the best person will win the election as it would have a direct effect on the policies and constitute of the country. All best wishes for presidential elections.