Mexico mayor 'could be pardoned'

[Judi Lynn]

Last Updated: Thursday, 14 April, 2005, 17:12 GMT 18:12 UK

Mexico mayor 'could be pardoned'


Mexican President Vicente Fox could keep the capital's embattled mayor in the presidential race by pardoning him if he is convicted, his spokesman says.

The suggestion came six days after Mexico's Congress voted to strip Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of his immunity from prosecution in a land dispute.

Mr Fox was unhappy that the prosecution was seen as politically motivated, spokesman Agustin Gutierrez Canet said.

Mr Lopez Obrador was tipped to win the 2006 election before the case erupted.

Since taking office as mayor of Mexico City in December 2000, he has become one of the country's most popular politicians.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4445929.stm

[More Than A Feeling]

1. This is going on right across the border

a change in leadership from Vicente Bush, I mean Fox, to a populist left winger would be huge. How many Americans do you think know the name of Lopez Obrador?

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Oh com'on these are just the other

go back to Survivor...

:sarcasm:

On a serious note, mebbe fox went too far too...

[Selteri]

3. I'm sure Fox will still wait till the election is over

or make sure things are drawn out, maybe arranging timing of court appearances to make trouble for him. He's dirty, we went too far and the people are actually reacting to it.

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. Pardoned for building a road to a hospital

In violation of a court order.

Shake head. Stir martini. Repeat.

[damntexdem]

5. So Fox is backing off.

I suppose the pardon would then be used against Obredor in the campaign. But Obredor may be too popular, and the prosecution too suspicious, to be much hurt by being pardoned.