Victory of Leftist Candidate in Mexican Presidential Election

Initial vote counting results and post-election surveys in the Mexican presidential election indicate that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the leftist candidate, has won by a significant margin over his rivals. Results published on July 1 show that Mr. Obrador has easily surpassed his two main competitors, and his party has also achieved major victories. Final results are expected to be released on Monday evening, July 2, Mexico time. Polls indicate that between 46 to 53 percent of voters supported Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Initial official results from the vote count also show that he has secured at least 53 percent of the votes. His main rival, Ricardo Anaya from the National Action Party, received between 19 to 25 percent of the votes, while Jose Antonio Meade from the Institutional Revolutionary Party garnered about 17 percent. Mr. Meade accepted his defeat and acknowledged Obrador's victory in the early hours of Monday. Anaya also conceded defeat, and current President Enrique Pena Nieto congratulated Obrador on his victory. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is the leader of the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), which is considered a leftist party. The National Action Party is a coalition of leftist and rightist figures, while the Institutional Revolutionary Party is seen as a centrist organization. The Institutional Revolutionary Party currently holds government leadership. In fact, this party, along with the National Action Party and the Democratic Revolution Party, has held power and government in Mexico for years. Mr. Obrador was once a member of the Democratic Revolution Party and established Morena six years ago. Lopez Obrador has promised to implement 'radical changes' in the current government processes and policies of his country. He has achieved victory amid increasing public protests and anger over 'corruption,' drug cartels, and the violence they perpetrate.