Leftist wins historic victory in Mexico
Lopez Obrador vows to oust ‘mafia of power,’ transform the country
MEXICO CITY— Leftist populist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was on the brink of a historic presidential win Sunday night as an exit poll gave him an overwhelming lead and both of his chief rivals conceded defeat. Lopez Obrador, who has vowed to transform Mexico and oust the “mafia of power” that rules the country, had a 16to 26-point lead over his nearest rival, conservative Ricardo Anaya, and a slightly larger edge over Jose Antonio Meade of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary party, according to the survey by polling firm Consulta Mitofsky.
“The tendency favours Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. … I recognize his triumph,” Anaya said in a speech to supporters.
Minutes earlier Meade had also conceded, saying that “for the good of Mexico, I wish him the greatest success.”
Electoral officials had not re- leased any vote returns.
Lopez Obrador, better known as AMLO, said he will transform Mexico if he wins his third bid for the presidency, vowing to overthrow the “mafia of power” he claims has looted the country and rule for the poor.
“There is a lot of inequality, a lot of violence in this country,” said Lopez Obrador voter Hugo Carlos, 73.
“This situation has to be changed.”
Exit polls by Consulta Mitofsky also forecast clear gubernatorial wins for allies of Lopez Obrador’s Morena party in four of eight state races on the ballot, plus for the head of government in Mexico City.
While Lopez Obrador, 64, held a commanding lead in polls heading into Sunday’s vote, he worried many who fear that he could set the country back decades and lead to disaster with an interventionist policy.
“I am concerned that some candidates are making proposals that are impossible, because they’re very expensive to carry out,” said Juan Carlos Limas, 26, who lined up at a Mexico City precinct to vote for Ricardo Anaya, who is running second in polls for a right-left coalition.
Lopez Obrador, who cast his ballot early Sunday, has pledged to give scholarships or paid apprenticeships to youth and increase support payments for the elderly.
All the candidates are lambasting U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies against migrants and Mexico, but voters were wondering who could best deal with Trump.
Sunday’s elections for posts at every level of government are Mexico’s largest ever and have become a referendum on corruption, graft and other tricks used to divert taxpayer money to officials’ pockets.
Some see this election as Lopez Obrador’s best shot at the presidency after 12 years of near-permanent campaigning with his anti-establishment message.