Mexico City mayoral wannabes plug themselves one more time
July 2, 1997
Web posted at: 10:58 p.m. EDT (0258 GMT)From Reporter Chris Kline
MEXICO CITY (CNN) -- In Mexico City's vast central square, Mexico City mayoral candidates appeared at political rallies to make final pleas for support before Sunday's race.
Wednesday was the final day for campaigning under Mexican law, but the parties staged their grand campaign closing rallies last weekend. Legislative and gubernatorial seats also are up for grabs in the voting.
The mayoral rallies weren't all serious business. There were traditional Aztec dancers and not-so-traditional modern steps, dancing dogs and a roaring show from a motorcycle group known as the "squadron of democracy."
It will be the capital's first election for mayor, who is technically the governor of the Federal District within the city.
Until now, the mayor was appointed by Mexico's president, and the dominance of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) assured that a ruling party member would hold the job.
This may be about to change.
Although more than 100,000 PRI supporters turned out for their candidate Alfredo del Mazo -- who is considered in second place in terms of support -- apparently not all of the party members were there voluntarily.
Off-camera, some of the pro-government labor union members said they felt pressured to show up to protect their jobs, and were given money and alcohol as an incentive to cheer.
In contrast, leading candidate Cuauhtemoc Cardenas Solorzano of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) received the warmest welcome, filling the square to capacity. If elected, he vowed to run a clean government accountable to the people.
When he said this, the cheers were deafening.
During his speech, del Mazo accused Cardenas of demagoguery, and said his rival offered only quick-fix solutions.
The third-place candidate, Carlos Castillo Peraza of the National Action Party (PAN), contended 40,000 party faithful had turned out. But because the party has so few members in the city, most were brought in from throughout Mexico.
There was an undeniable feeling of optimism among backers of Cardenas, who may sense that their party may finally gain a toehold in Mexico City's politics.
- Newsmaker Profile: Ernesto Zedillo - Newsmaker Profile
Related stories:
- At final rally, PRI doesn't have much to celebrate - June 29, 1997
- Mexico City readies for historic mayoral vote - June 17, 1997
- Two years in, Mexico still uncertain about Zedillo - December 3, 1996
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