Leading The Charge : Mexico president-elect begins transition

Mexico president-elect begins transition

By WILL WEISSERT | Associated Press Writer | September 6, 2006

MEXICO CITY - Newly named President-elect Felipe Calderon started building his administration Wednesday, appealing to the middle-class voters who fueled his slim victory and working to win over poor Mexicans who believe he stole the election.

The conservative former energy secretary discussed the 2007 budget and the logistics of the transition with the man he will replace, President Vicente Fox . He continued to call for unity in a nation torn by a bitter presidential campaign and a nastier postelection fight.

"I am going to be a president for everyone, without making distinctions. A president driven by fairness and equality," he said. "That‘s my job, regardless of whomever someone voted for."

President Bush called Fox early Wednesday and congratulated the government on the "strength of Mexican democracy and stability of Mexico‘s institutions," according to Fox‘s spokesman. He later called Calderon to offer personal congratulations.

"We are going to fight all of this," said protester Gerardo Fernandez. "We aren‘t going to let (Calderon) take office."

Calderon and Fox chatted and strolled together on the manicured presidential grounds. But in an appearance before reporters, they stiffly shook hands and refused to raise their arms in a victory salute.

On Tuesday, Mexico‘s top electoral court declared Calderon the winner of the July 2 election by less than 234,000 votes out of 42 million cast. The ruling, which cannot be appealed, rejected claims by Lopez Obrador that the vote was skewed by systematic fraud and improper spending by the Fox administration.

Mexico‘s constitution limits presidents to a six-year term, and Fox has said he will retire to his ranch on December.

Mexico City‘s government, controlled by Lopez Obrador‘s Democratic Revolution Party, has asked his protesting supporters to head home so that the capital can celebrate Independence Day, when the president shouts "Viva, Mexico!" on the evening of Sept. 15, followed by a military parade along streets now occupied by protesters.

Some analysts have feared Lopez Obrador‘s increasingly radicalized supporters could turn violent. Business, church and civic leaders published advertisements in leading newspapers Wednesday urging peace.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.