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Mexico City Becomes Base for Unhappy Voters

Almost a month after Mexico voted for a President to succeed Vicente Fox, left-wing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his followers have seized control of much of the capital, Mexico City. Lopez Obrador and his supporters are demanding a recount that gave the right-wing Felipe Calderon a half of a percentage point victory. Correspondents say police are unlikely to intervene, as Mexico City is governed by Lopez Obrador`s Democratic Revolution Party.

With Mexico City`s main square and avenues filled with his supporters, Lopez Obrador says they will "paralyze" the capital until their demands are met. According to news reports, thousands of Mexicans are reported to have set up camp overnight in the historic Zocalo plaza and the Reforma boulevard, blocking traffic on one of the capital`s main roads. Lopez Obrador said he himself would be living in one of the dozens of camping sites set up by his supporters.

Election monitors from the European Union certified the vote as valid, and reported no irregularities, yet the left-wingers say the vote was rigged, and are pressuring the electoral court to hold a recount, which under Mexican law has until the end of August to decide if such a measure is necessary. If the protestors allow the count to be verified as per law, instead of by "popular coup", Felipe Calderon will likely become Mexico`s next president. Calderon is of President Fox`s party.