Mexico 2006 Presidential Elections Timeline (with references) July 17, 2003 Eleven days after the 2003 midterm elections, Fox states that the race for the 2006 elections has begun. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=99623&tabla =nacion o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/web_editoriales_new.detalle?var=1 8875 o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2003/07/18/004a1pol.php?origen=index.html&fly= 1 September 2, 2003 Felipe Calderón is appointed Energy Secretary. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=101515&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2003/09/03/indexfla.php March 1, 2004 Videos showing Mexico City’s finance minister, Gustavo Ponce, gambling in Las Vegas are shown in Joaquín López Dóriga’s nightly news broadcast (Noticiero). o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2004/03/02/038n1cap.php?origen=index.html&fly= 1 March 3, 2004 Videos showing René Bejarano, the former personal secretary of Mexico City mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), accepting suitcases full of money from businessman Carlos Ahumada are presented during El Brozo’s (Victor Trujillo) morning show (El Mañanero) o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2004/03/04/005n1cap.php?origen=index.html&fly= 1 o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=57626&tabla =ciudad March 30, 2004 Carlos Ahumada is arrested in Cuba. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=109291&tabla =nacion May 17, 2004 “El Encino” land dispute leads the Attorney General’s office to file lawsuit against AMLO which would involve stripping him of immunity from prosecution. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=110881&tabla =nacion
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o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=110999&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2004/05/18/003n1pol.php?origen=index.html&fly= 1 May 31, 2004 Felipe Calderón resigns as Energy Secretary, in protest for being publicly reprimanded by Fox for allegedly campaigning for the presidency. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=111541&tabla =nacion o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=111534&tabla =nacion July 5, 2004 Alfonso Durazo, Fox’s spokesperson and personal secretary, resigns. He advises Fox against indulging Marta Sahagún’s presidential aspirations or interfering in the 2006 presidential race. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=112907&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2004/07/06/003n1pol.php?origen=index.html&fly= 1 March 6, 2005 Manuel Espino, a staunch conservative, is elected president of the center-right National Action Party (PAN). o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=122627&tabla =nacion April 7, 2005 The federal Congress votes in favor of stripping AMLO of immunity from prosecution (the desafuero) o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=123719&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/04/08/003n1pol.php April 24, 2005 Approximately one million people demonstrate in Mexico City to protest against the AMLO’s prosecution. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=124384&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/04/25/003n1pol.php April 27, 2005 Fox announces that the Attorney General is dropping the charges against AMLO and that the 2006 presidential electoral process will be “unimpeachable”. Attorney General Rafael Macedo, responsible for bringing the original charges against AMLO, resigns.
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o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=124748&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/04/28/003n1pol.php June 19, 2005 Subcomandante Marcos, the public face of the Zapatista National Liberation Army (a former guerrilla group), criticizes AMLO for being too centrist. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=126320&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/06/20/008n1pol.php July 3, 2005 The once dominant Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) wins the gubernatorial election in the state of México, the country’s largest subnational unit. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/07/04/003n1est.php August 4, 2005 Former governor of México state Arturo Montiel announces that he will challenge PRI party president Roberto Madrazo in the party’s presidential primary. August 31, 2005 Mariano Palacios is appointed as president of the PRI after Madrazo vacates the post to compete in the party’s presidential primary. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=129000&tabla =nacion September 11, 2005 Contrary to earlier forecasts, Calderón wins the first round of the PAN’s three-round primary. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=129405&tabla =nacion September 19, 2005 Elba Esther Gordillo resigns as secretary of the PRI. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=129739&tabla =nacion o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/09/20/003n1pol.php3
September 29, 2005 Chapultepec Accord (Acuerdo de Chapultepec para la Unidad, el Estado de Derecho, el Desarrollo, la Inversión, y el Empleo), meant to be a consensus agreement on public policy goals, is signed by a number of prominent civic and cultural figures. All 31 governors, the governor of the Federal District, and all presidential candidates ultimately sign the Accord. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132509.html
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o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/09/30/003n1pol.php October 2, 2005 Calderón wins the second round of PAN’s three-round primary. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=130245&tabla =nacion October 10, 2005 A leaked report shows that Hacienda and the Attorney General’s Office have opened an investigation on the sources of Arturo Montiel’s personal wealth. Montiel accuses Madrazo of being behind the leak. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=130566&tabla =nacion Montiel refuses to sign a pact against negative campaigning in the PRI primary, citing the recent leak of the investigation against him. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=130567&tabla =nacion October 15, 2005 Former Chihuahua governor and PAN primary contender Francisco Barrio endorses Calderón in the PAN primary. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=130764&tabla =nacion October 18, 2005 AMLO opens a 1-900 line to raise campaign contributions for his presidential bid. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=130976&tabla =nacion Montiel signs the pact against negative campaigning. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=130974&tabla =nacion October 20, 2005 Montiel withdraws from PRI primary. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=131058&tabla =nacion o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=131061&tabla =nacion October 21, 2005 Hurricane Wilma hits the Mexican coast. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=131037&tabla =nacion October 23, 2005 Calderón clinches the PAN primary.
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o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=131158&tabla =nacion Calderón’s principal primary rival, former Minister of Government Santiago Creel, admits defeat and announces that he will support Calderón in the general election. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=131164&tabla =nacion
November 5, 2005 Opposition parties criticize Vicente Fox’s in the Summit of the Americas in Argentina. Allegedly, he insisted in discussing the FTAA despite the fact that it was not included in the agenda. Tension erupted between Fox and Argentine president Néstor Kirchner. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/131707.html o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/11/06/003n1eco.php November 9, 2005 Hugo Chávez calls Vicente Fox a “puppy of the empire,” in reference to his participation in the Summit of the Americas. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/131858.html November 10, 2005 Calderón and AMLO criticize Chávez’s attack on Fox. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/131921.html November 16, 2005 The Committee on Party Justice of the PRI suspended Elba Esther Gordillo’s rights as member of the PRI, as part of the ongoing process aimed at expelling her from the party. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132146.html November 21, 2005 Reforma newspaper publishes a poll showing AMLO and Calderón in a statistical tie following Calderón’s victory in the primary; other polls later show AMLO maintaining a substantial lead. November 29, 2005 AMLO, Calderón, and Madrazo speak at a conference organized by the American Chamber of Commerce. AMLO announces that he will not open the electric sector to private investment; Calderón says that he will; and Madrazo does not take a position. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/11/30 November 30, 2005 The co-founder of AMLO’s leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, creates a group charged with generating proposals for AMLO’s campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132672.html December 1, 2005
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The center-right Green Party (PVEM) announces that it will not negotiate an alliance with the PAN in the presidential elections, as it had done in 2000. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132707.html
December 2, 2005 Speaking in Chiapas, AMLO declares that he will abrogate the clause of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) eliminating tariffs on corn and beans. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132737.html December 4, 2005 Marcelo Ebrard beats Jesús Ortega in the PRD primary election for Mexico City mayor. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132825.html December 5, 2005 The PRI and the PVEM announce an electoral alliance, the Alliance for Mexico (AM). o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132823.html The PRD announces an electoral alliance with two smaller center-left parties, Convergencia and the Labor Party (PT), known as the Alliance for the Good of All (ApBT). o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/132871.html December 7, 2005 AMLO demands that Guillermo Ortiz resign as governor of the Bank of Mexico, the country’s central bank. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133059.html December 9, 2005 The Office of the President announces that a planned public television channel that would have broadcast the accomplishments of the federal government has been cancelled, in order not to be criticized as electoral propaganda. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133120.html December 11, 2005 Cardinal Norberto Rivera warns people during his sermon in the Metropolitan Cathedral about “political messiahs” who promise to solve every problem, considered an oblique reference to AMLO. When asked to name the people he has in mind, he refuses. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133207.html December 12, 2005 The Federal Electoral Institute (IFE), Mexico’s autonomous election administration body, imposes a “Christmas truce”, to last until the official start of the campaign season on January 18, during which time no campaigning will be permitted. December 14, 2005 Calderón meets with members of the Mexican-German Chamber of Commerce to discuss his economic proposals. 6
o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133319.html The IFE announces that it will investigate whether Calderón has violated the Christmas truce. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133318.html
December 15, 2005 Reporting on the activities of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Mariano Azuela implies that the legal case against AMLO had been withdrawn for political reasons. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133335.html December 16, 2005 Presidential spokesperson Rubén Aguilar assures reporters that the case against AMLO was closed, in light of the controversy generated by Mariano Azuela’s statement the day before. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133375.html December 19, 2005 It is reported that Madrazo and Calderón have continued to air ads despite the Christmas truce. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133504.html December 30, 2005 PRD sources admit that AMLO’s plan to raise campaign money through a 1-900 number has been a disappointment. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133767.html January 5, 2006 Josefina Vázquez Mota, Secretary for Social Development, resigns to join Calderón’s campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/133874.html January 7, 2006 Patricia Mercado registers her candidacy for the Partido Alternativa Social Democrática y Campesina (Alternativa). Days later a part of the party attempts to register Víctor González Torres, known as “Dr. Simi”, instead. January 9, 2006 Roberto Campa registers as candidate for Partido Nueva Alianza (PANAL). Subcommander Marcos of the Zapatista national Liberation Army, an inactive guerrilla group, issues strong criticism of Vicente Fox. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134003.html The Bank of Mexico reports that the inflation rate for 2005 was 3.33%, the lowest since 1969. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/49318.html January 12, 2006 7
Jesús Ortega is named campaign manager for AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134074.html
January 14, 2006 The Federal Government announces that the poverty alleviation program Oportunidades is being turned into an autonomous agency, independent of the Ministry of Social development. AMLO had intimated that he would make major changes in the administration of the program to allow officials greater discretional in the allocation of benefits. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134140.html January 15, 2006 IFE announces that 21,546 applications for absentee voting were received. Ultimately, 56,000 will be registered to vote, with around 40,000 casting ballots. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134173.html January 16, 2005 Mariano Palacios is named campaign manager for Roberto Madrazo. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134207.html The Supreme Court invalidates the expropriation decree issued by Vicente Fox on sugar cane refineries on September 2, 2001. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134198.html January 18, 2006 IFE approves presidential candidacies, rejecting the candidacy of Dr. Simi. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134256.html AMLO announces that he will launch a daily show on the country’s second largest broadcasting network, Televisión Azteca, called La Otra Versión. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134261.html January 19, 2006 Calderón starts his campaign at El Toreo, traditional rallying point for the PAN. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134295.html January 24, 2006 Students at a Madrazo rally in Pachuca (state of Hidalgo) boo the candidate and shout slogans in support of AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134434.html The Mexican statistic bureau, INEGI, reports that oil-related income for 2005 was almost 32 billion dollars, representing an increase of 35% over 2004. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/49617.html January 30, 2006 In an interview with López Dóriga, AMLO announces people he would like to have in his cabinet: Juan Ramón de la Fuente “for internal politics,” José María Pérez Gay “for foreign relations,” and Rogelio Ramírez de la O “for the economy.” 8
o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/01/31/014n1pol.php Standard & Poor’s country risk rating for Mexico reaches an all-time low (i.e., little risk) of 112 points, compared to 411 at the beginning of the Fox administration. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/49720.html
February 2, 2006 AMLO and Madrazo meet with Emilio Azcárraga Jean, principal owner and Chief Executive Officer of Mexico’s largest broadcasting network, Televisa, in the resort town of Valle de Bravo. The following day Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón do the same thing. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134779.html February 7, 2006 All candidates except for AMLO meet with members of the Mexican Bankers Association. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/134887.html February 9, 2006 A Bank of Mexico report reveals that inflation during the month of January was 0.59%, slightly higher than last year’s. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/49932.html February 14, 2006 Telephone conversations between the governor of Puebla, Mario Marín, and businessman Kamel Nacif, plotting against journalist Lydia Cacho, appear in the press (La Jornada newspaper breaks the story). o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/02/14/003n1pol.php Calderón clarifies that he is in favor of contraceptives and does not oppose legalization of the morning-after pill. At a rally at the Tec de Monterrey’s campus in México state, he is heckled. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135168.html February 15, 2006 Calderón is heckled by students at a speech at the Technological Institute of Mexico (UNITEC) in Mexico City. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135208.html February 16, 2006 Fox urges people to be “careful” of populist politicians who only want to spend money. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135254.html February 17, 2006 Fox speaks out against the elimination of a life pension for former presidents, a proposal advanced by AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135283.html
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February 20, 2006 Bernardo de la Garza of the PVEM breaks with Madrazo’s presidential campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135424.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135397.html February 21, 2006 Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, speaking at an event sponsored by the PAN, states his hope that Calderón will win the elections. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135422.html An IFE report states that, in one way or another, all candidates violated the “truce” it imposed in December/January. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135433.html February 24, 2006 The Supreme Court orders that all TV ads promoting the social programs of the Fox administration or aimed at improving Fox’s image be withdrawn from the air. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135533.html Mariano Palacios is confirmed as president of the PRI. Rosario Green is confirmed as secretary of the party. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135540.html February 27, 2006 Josefina Vázquez Mota assumes sole responsibility for managing Calderón’s campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135655.html Eduardo Sojo, Public Policy Coordinator in Los Pinos, announces the government’s plans to grant autonomy to the Tax Administration Service (SAT). o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/50312.html February 28, 2006 Eduardo Andrade, PRI spokesperson, resigns from the PRI in protest for the way the lists for candidates to Congress are being drawn up (i.e., the fact that Madrazo has exercised too much control over the lists). o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135689.html Amidst negotiations for the presidential debates, AMLO’s team announces that he will only attend one debate. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135691.html In Tlaxcala City (state of Tlaxcala), Fox criticizes unnamed politicians who take advantage of programs to aid the elderly for political gain. AMLO’s pernsion program for the elderly had been a major accomplishment during his tenure as mayor of Mexico City. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135701.html March 1, 2006 The Office of the President issues a comic book to be distributed nationally that explains what has been accomplished during the Fox administration. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135718.html
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Calderón, in several interviews, admits that has made mistakes in his campaign and he needs to change his strategy. He blames the “expertólogos and politólogos” (supposed experts and political scientists) in his campaign who compelled him to say “politically correct” things. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135728.html Madrazo warns that his loss in the race for the presidency would spell the demise of the PRI as a political institution. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135726.html
March 2, 2006 Liébano Sáenz, former personal secretary of former President Ernesto Zedillo, denies rumors that the ex-president is backing AMLO’s candidacy. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135753.html Calderón interrupts a speech to argue back with a pro-AMLO heckler who yelled at him at a rally in México state. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135759.html The Bishop of Ecatepec (México state), Onésimo Cepeda, is questioned by federal prosecutors following a complaint that he was violating the Law of Religious Associations by campaigning in favor of one of the candidates. The complaint argued that he had criticized AMLO publicly. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135763.html March 3, 2006 Members of Congress of the three major parties request that President Fox to be more careful when making statements regarding migration to the United States (U.S.). In an interview with the BBC, Fox had said that in ten years the U.S. was going to be begging Mexico to send more migrants. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135795.html March 7, 2006 The Chamber of the Radio and Television Industry (CIRT) announces that it can only broadcast two debates, instead of the four that the candidates had agreed to. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/135930.html March 9, 2006 The Bank of Mexico announces that the rate of inflation for February was 0.15%, below expectations. The year-to-date annualized inflation rate is 3.75%. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/50485.html March 11, 2006 Former President Carlos Salinas gives a speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that is understood as a warning against López Obrador. AMLO responds later that day saying that a “chachalaca innombrable” (loosely translated “a noisy bird who will remain anonymous”) spoke out against him. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136111.html
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March 12, 2006 Municipal elections take place in México state; the PRI performs well. o http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=816443 March 13, 2006 AMLO acknowledges having met earlier in the campaign with Mexico’s richest man, Carlos Slim, to discuss mechanisms for public-private partnerships in investment. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136171.html March 14, 2006 The PRD demands that attack ads paid for by the PRI, accusing AMLO of being “a liar and dishonest” be removed. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136202.html March 15, 2006 AMLO tells Fox to “stop squawking and shut up” (“Cállate, chachalaca”) at a rally in Oaxaca City (state of Oaxaca). Scenes from the rally are later broadcast in PAN attack ads against AMLO. o http://www.proceso.com.mx/elecciones06/not_amlo.html?nid=38569 o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136239.html The IFE rejects the PRD’s request that the PRI’s attack ads be withdrawn. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136240.html March 16, 2006 Eighteen members of Congress associated with the Teachers’ Union resign from the PRI. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136260.html March 18, 2006 Calderón launches a new campaign strategy that consists in direct, blunt attacks against López Obrador. He calls him a “danger” to Mexico and accuses him of intolerance. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136350.html March 21, 2006 Congressman Wintilo Vega, the PRI’s nominee for governor of Guanajuato state, resigns from the PRI. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136438.html Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez accuses the Mexican right of using his image to attack AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136437.html A report by the Federal Electricity Board (CFE) reveals that the price of electricity consumption has increased by 78% since the Fox administration began, three times the rate of inflation. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/50709.html March 23, 2006
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The Attorney General decides not to prosecute Onésimo Cepeda, since his criticism of AMLO was not made during mass. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136523.html
March 27, 2006 El Universal newspaper reports that the number of online gamblers predicting an AMLO victory has increased considerably. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136637.html March 31, 2006 The “Ley Televisa” is approved by the Senate; the new law guarantees current holders of broadcasting licenses their concessions for decades, as well as the opportunity to control related industries. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/04/01/007n1pol.php GEA-ISA polling group, which did work with the PAN, publishes national poll that places Calderón in first place, with 36%, and AMLO in second place with 34%. o http://www.isa.org.mx/contenido/Gimx0603%20r.pdf April 2, 2006 AMLO announces that he will not meet with representatives of the banking sector until after the elections. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136920.html April 3, 2006 The Supreme Court determines that the Office of the President must stop airing ads on the administration’s accomplishments until the claim filed by Congress against the president on the use of public resources with electoral purposes is resolved. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=136945&tabla =nacion AMLO compares the PAN’s negative campaign to the “Nazi tactic of repeating a lie many times until it becomes a truth.” The PRD leadership denounces the results of the GEA-ISA poll that placed him in second place. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136954.html April 4, 2006 Roberto Madrazo reveals that he has met several times during the campaign with former PRD presidential candidate Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136990.html Calderón faces hecklers at a speech at Ibero-American University in Mexico City. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136989.html AMLO offers Fox a “unilateral truce” – i.e., that he will refrain from criticizing the president. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136993.html At several public events, Fox states that, since July 2, 2000, “no can silence anyone” in Mexico, in reference to AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/136996.html 13
Former Minister of Government Emilio Chauyffet, a prominent figure in the PRI, threatens to resign his seat in Congress and his role in the Madrazo campaign in protest against the selection of the PRI’s party lists for Congress. He later reaches an agreement with the PRI leadership. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137005.html
April 5, 2006 Calderón meets with former Central American guerrilla leaders in Mexico City. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137033.html Cárdenas justifies meeting with Madrazo, clarifying that he does not intend to leave the PRD. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137030.html Fox argues that his speeches regarding freedom of speech and the risks of populism are not directed towards AMLO specifically. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137029.html A poll by ARCOP, which conducted surveys for the PAN campaign, places Calderón in first place and AMLO second. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137036.html April 6, 2006 Disparities in poll results spark controversy. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137058.html Patricia Mercado reveals that she also met with Cárdenas prior to starting her campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137062.html April 7, 2006 Vicente Fox asks citizens in Chiapas state to reject “paternalism” as a philosophy of government. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137095.html Calderón argues that his meeting with former Central American guerrilla leaders responded to a need to strengthen ties with leaders of that region. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137097.html April 8, 2006 PAN launches counter-attack ads to the PRD ads that showed Elena Poniatowska. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/04/09/edito.php April 10, 2006 AMLO accuses Televisa of presenting him as authoritarian in the political satire program El Privilegio de Mandar. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137211.html April 11, 2006 Fox signs the “Ley Televisa” into law. Madrazo complains that leading figures in the PRI are not supporting his candidacy. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137253.html 14
Representatives of the candidates agree to a “mini-truce” before and after the debate, during which candidates would not speak with the media. The PRD refuses to enter into the agreement. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137252.html
April 12, 2006 The PAN withdraws television ads attacking writer Elena Poniatowska, who had defended AMLO against previous PAN attack ads. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137282.html April 13, 2006 The PRI’s party lists for Congress are approved, ending several days of uncertainty. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137312.html April 15, 2006 The PAN leadership confirms that it has met with former Minister of Government Diódoro Carrasco, a prominent figure in the PRI, to discuss his inclusion in Calderón’s campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137376.html April 16, 2006 Cardinal Norberto Rivera asks people during his sermon on Easter Sunday not to follow “false prophets” in the upcoming elections, who “make promises that they won’t keep.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137393.html The IFE’s independent media monitoring bureau reveals that AMLO was the candidate who had the most ads on radio and TV in the month of March. The PRD accuses the agency of bias. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137391.html April 17, 2006 A new poll by El Universal newspaper shows AMLO dropping 4 points with respect to the previous poll. Calderón gains 2 percentage points, meaning that the difference between the two candidates decreased from 10 points to 4 points between March and April. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137442.html Speaking in Michoacán, Fox states that no one should question the legitimacy of the IFE or the Federal Electoral Court, which is charged with certifying election results. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137446.html In Ciudad Ayala (Morelos state), the birthplace of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, Calderón presents his plan for rural development. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137440.html April 18, 2006 The president of the Labor Congress (Congreso del Trabajo) indicates his support for Fox, Labor Secretary Francisco Javier Salazar, and newly appointed leader of the miners
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union, Elías Morales. He attacks those unions calling for a one-hour national strike on April 28. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137482.html In Aguascalientes, Vicente Fox argues that Mexicans should change “only the rider, but not the horse”. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137469.html
April 18, 2006 Representatives of the candidates participating in the first debate agree to place an empty chair to symbolize AMLO’s absence. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/04/19/014n1pol.php April 19, 2006 Several independent unions form the Mantional front for union Unity and Autonomy (FNUAS). Groups involved include the telephone workers union, the health care workers’ union, the national university’s union, the PRI-affiliated Revolutionary Confederation of Proletarians and Peasants, the PRI-affiliated Revolution Confederation of Mexican Proletarians, and the miners’ union. At the last moment, the electricians’ union decides not to participate. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137528.html Calderón criticizes the IFE for limiting freedom of expression in the country by forcing the PAN to withdraw attack ads against AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137509.html Presidential spokesperson Rubén Aguilar announces that National Palace is being turned into a museum, one day after AMLO reiterated that he intends to live there if elected president. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137508.html Vicente Fox argues in México state that “irresponsible promises” by some candidates will hurt people more than they will help them. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137507.html April 20, 2006 IFE’s General Council determines that the television PAN’s ads “A danger to Mexico” and “López Obrador permitted these crimes” disparage AMLO and should be yanked from the air. Violence erupts at a steel mill in Lázaro Cárdenas (state of Michoacán) when police attempted to break a strike. The workers demanded the reinstatement of Napoleón Gómez Urrutia as union leader. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137546.html April 21, 2006 IFE’s General Council determines that “A danger to Mexico” can continue to air but “López Obrador permitted these crimes” should stop airing. The PAN decides to withdraw all ads critical of AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/344465.html.
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PRI and PRD demand the resignation of Labor Secretary Francisco Javier Salazar for his handling of the strike in Lázaro Cárdenas. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137589.html
April 23, 2006 At an event in Mexico City, Calderón is heckled by people associated with controversial U.S. businessman Lyndon La Rouche. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137642.html April 24, 2006 The PAN files a claim against Pablo Gómez for alleged use of public resources by a publication attacking Felipe Calderón. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137693.html April 25, 2006 First presidential debate takes place. Calderón and Patricia Mercado are considered the best performers; Madrazo and Campa are judged to have performed badly. AMLO had not participated. Telephone polls suggest that Calderón “won” the debate. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137722.html April 26, 2006 For the first time, online gamblers place Calderón above AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137766.html The Treasury Department’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) starts an investigation into the possible leak of confidential information regarding Madrazo’s tax returns that Roberto Campa disclosed during the debate. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137763.html The Bank of Mexico announces that, between January and March, GDP grew at a rate of 5.2% -- the highest rate of growth during the Fox administration. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/51531.html April 25, 26, 27 The assembly of the Mexican Conference of Bishops is held in Cuautitlán Izcalli (México state). The three major candidates meet with the bishops. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137655.html April 28, 2006 Several workers’ and peasants’ organizations stage a series of short strikes nationally, demanding the resignation of Labor Secretary Salazar and respect for union autonomy. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137858.html Roberto Campa calls on Mexicans to join a boycott against American brands on May 1st, as part of the demonstrations in favor of immigrant rights in the US. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137849.html April 29, 2006
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In reference to previous statements by Fox, AMLO declares that with him as president, there will be a change of “both the rider and the horse.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137887.html
April 29, 30, 2006 AMLO meets with his closest advisors to redefine the campaign strategy. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138115.html May, 2006 George Grayson’s highly critical biography of AMLO, Mesías mexicano (Mexican Messiah), is published in Spanish. May 1, 2006 Massive rallies take place in the US demanding better immigrant rights. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/05/02/003n1mig.php Bolivian president Evo Morales nationalizes the oil and natural gas sectors. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/internacional/50141.html May 2, 2006 At an event in the World Trade Center in Mexico City, Calderón is accompanied by several prominent private sector leaders supporting his candidacy. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137958.html A judge determines that writer Olga Wornat and Proceso magazine are guilty of slandering Marta Sahagún de Fox. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137949.html May 3, 2006 Reversing himself, Fox vetoes a bill from Congress that would decriminalize the possession and consumption of small amounts of drugs, following criticism of the bill. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137975.html Riots in San Salvador Atenco (México state). May 4, 2006 Leaders of the unions of health care workers, electricians, and university employees announce their support for AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138049.html The PRD announces a new series of television ads to counter the PAN ads of recent weeks. The money to pay for the ads comes mainly from a bank loan. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138048.html Members of Congress cry foul at Fox’s vetoing law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of drugs. They argue that Fox himself was the one who introduced the bill in late 2003. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138053.html All candidates condemn the riots of May 3rd in San Salvador Atenco. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138037.html
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May 5, 2006 AMLO admits that he has “made some errors” in his campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138083.html Madrazo announces that he will refuse to sign the “pact of civility” proposed by the Ministry of Government due to what he considers an unfair participation of Fox in the campaigns. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138082.html Calderón connects the conflict in San Salvador Atenco to the lynchings in Tláhuac (Federal District) in 2004, arguing that the PRD represents governments that put Mexico on a path of “anarchy, violence, and disorder”. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138076.html May 7, 2006 Members of Madrazo’s team complain that several PRI governors are not supporting the campaign effort. Among these they name the governors of Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Durango. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138137.html Hugo Chávez threatens that Venezuela may withdraw from the Group of Three, formed with Colombia and Mexico. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/internacional/50192.html May 8, 2006 Calderón signs accord with the right-wing civic group Mexico Against Crime proposes eliminating banking privacy rights for criminals. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138167.html Patricia Mercado acknowledges having smoked marijuana at age 20 but stopped because “it made her dizzy.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138164.html May 9, 2006 Subcommander Marcos defends the protestors in San Salvador Atenco. Calderón argues that AMLO is behind Marcos. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138217.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138324.html Fox’s former personal secretary, Alfonso Durazo, publishes Saldos del cambio: una crítica política de la alternancia, highly critical of Fox. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138215.html Presidential spokesperson Rubén Aguilar announces that Fox will continue to “inaugurate” public works and speak out in favor of continuity. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138204.html The Bank of Mexico announces that the consumer price index increased by 0.15% in April -- the smallest rise in April in the last nine years. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/finanzas/51808.html May 11, 2006
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Roberto Madrazo suffers a mild poisoning from “taking self-prescribed medicine” and is hospitalized for 3 hours in the Hospital ABC in Mexico City. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138236.html
May 15, 2006 For the first time in polls by El Universal newspaper, Calderón surpasses AMLO among likely voters. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138364.html May 17, 2006 Calderón meets with private sector National Farming and Fishing Council, which is part of the Private sector Coordinating Council (CCE), and states that he will not seek to renegotiate NAFTA). He also proposes to create a national highway system to connect the country vertically and horizontally. News reports indicate that Fox met at least three times with the leaders of the PVEM in an effort to form an alliance in the 2006 elections. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138461.html May 19, 2006 Meetings between people close to AMLO (Manuel Camacho) and Madrazo (José Murat) raise speculation of a possible alliance between the candidates. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138520.html PRI and PRD congressional spokesmen urge the IFE to ask Fox to stop making comments about the elections that could be interpreted as gestures of support towards Calderón. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138526.html May 20, 2006 The PRD announces that it will request that Calderón’s main public relations advisor, the Spaniard Antonio Solá, be expelled from the country for intervening in the country’s political affairs. Calderón comments that he can beat the PRI and the PRD either separately or in alliance and argues that an alliance between these two parties would reflect the fact that they are “cousins.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138572.html Madrazo denies that he is planning to withdraw from the race. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138573.html May 24, 2006 Manlio Fabio Beltrones, a close advisor of Madrazo, clarifies that a PRI-PRD alliance is “unthinkable”. He explains that both parties have reached an agreement only in regards to Fox’s alleged participation in the campaign. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138704.html AMLO states that both he and Madrazo will compete separately in the elections. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138706.html
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May 25, 2006 The PRI presents a complaint against Fox before the Special Prosecutor for Electoral Crimes (Fepade) for alleged illicit use of public funds to finance a campaign to support Calderón. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138697.html May 26, 2006 The PRI governor of Sonora, Eduardo Bours, meets with Felipe Calderón. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138767.html The director of the National Polytechnic Institute announces that all three main candidates have refused the invitation to speak at its campus in front of students. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138777.html May 27, 2006 The PRD withdraws two attack ads again Calderón (one calling him a liar and one depicting a hand signing a controversial bank bailout package (Fobaproa) but announces that it is preparing another ad linking him to the bailout. May 29, 2006 A poll by María de las Heras, affiliated with the Madrazo campaign, puts Madrazo within reach of the two leading candidates. A poll by the firm Mitofsky & Company shows Calderón and AMLO tied at 34%, with Madrazo trailing substantially. The PRI’s Executive Committee (CEN) sends the party’s Commission of Party Justice a request to expel several prominent members who have acknowledged that they will vote for candidates of other parties. Among these members are senators Manuel Bartlett and Óscar Cantón (supporitng AMLO) and Genaro Borrego (supporting Calderón). According to El Universal newspaper, in the week of May 20-26, Calderón was the candidate spending the most on radio and TV ads. AMLO, who led in expenditures the previous week, falls to third place again. Calderón spent about 27 million pesos (over $2.5 million), Madrazo about 15 million, and AMLO about 9 million. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/138832.html The IFE’s General Council determines that the PAN must withdraw another ad attacking AMLO, linking him to Bejarano, Ahumada, and Subcommander Marcos -- the fifth ad that IFE has asked the PAN to withdraw. May 30, 2006 AMLO delivers a 1-minute message on television on his economic program. The IFE sends out electoral materials for the election. The Office of the President announces that Fox will not meet with any of the presidential candidates, in response to AMLO’s request for a meeting. May 31, 2006 The IFE fines the PAN for having former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar, offer his support to Felipe Calderón at an event in the PAN’s headquarters. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/352603.html 21
The Mexican stock market closes the month of May having lost 9.53% -- the biggest monthly loss since 2001. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/352623.html
June 4, 2006 Alan García is elected president of Peru, defeating Ollanta Humala, who was closely associated with Hugo Chávez. Alan García says that he “sympathizes with López Obrador.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/353459.html June 5, 2006 Allegations surface that new videos incriminating prominent PRD members making deals with jailed businessman Carlos Ahumada will be made public on June 6. Horacio Duarte, the PRD’s IFE representative, denies any wrongdoing. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139149.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139148.html Former PRI president Genaro Borrego resigns from the PRI. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139144.html o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/06/010n3pol.php June 6, 2006 Carlos Ahumada’s wife, who was scheduled to distribute the videos incriminating top PRD members, is shot at near her house. She then decides not to make the videos public out of fear of reprisals. Some suggest that the attack was a self-inflicted stunt. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/07/018n1pol.php o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/07/016n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139166.html The second presidential debate takes place. Telephone polls reveal Calderón to be the winner, though all three main candidates and minor-party candidate Patricia Mercado perform well. Mercado subsequently uses footage from the debate of other candidate’s praising her proposals in televised ads. After the debate, the PRD distributes a document detailing accusations made by AMLO against Calderón’s brother-in-law (the brother of his wife), Diego Zavala for alleged financial improprieties and influence peddling. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139185.html June 7, 2006 Calderón accuses AMLO of using three lies in the attacks against him: (i) about Fobaproa, (ii) about advocating the value-added tax on food and medicine, and (iii) about Zavala’s data systems company, Hildebrando. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139214.html Diego Zavala denies the accusations made by AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139208.html At a rally in Chiapas, AMLO warns of the possibility of electoral fraud against him if he does not win by a large margin. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139212.html 22
Following on a proposal made by Madrazo during the debate, the political parties begin negotiations on a “civility accord.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139207.html
June 8, 2006 Calderón issues AMLO an “ultimatum” to present evidence of any wrongdoing by Hildebrando within 24 hours. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/09/010n1pol.php The National Workers’ Union (UNT) announces a national strike on June 28 in solidarity with the miners’ union. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/09/022n3pol.php AMLO’s van is hit by a bus after leaving a rally in Chiapas. No one is injured in the accident. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139251.html June 9, 2006 PRD members deliver to the PAN’s offices “boxes” of evidence incriminating Hildebrando. Later it is revealed that the boxes were mostly empty and only included a couple of CDs. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139254.html A Treasury Department spokesperson claims that the “leak” about Hildebrando’s wrongdoings was probably made by the Mexico City government and that an investigation would be opened. The Mexico City government denies the accusation and counters by saying that the Treasury Department has acted irresponsibly by pointing fingers before the investigation was begun opened. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/10/004n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/137665.html IFE denies that Hildebrando’s companies have any relationship with its computer systems. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/10/013n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139287.html Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas meets with Roberto Campa to talk about the elections. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/10/014n2pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139289.html Diego Zavala sues AMLO for slander. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139284.html June 12, 2006 An El Universal poll places Calderón at 37% and AMLO at 34%, still within the margin of error. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139355.html Debate among candidates for Mexico City government takes place. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/13/036n1cap.php The Mexican stock market suffers a loss of 4.30%, its worst of the year. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/13/022n2eco.php
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An UNAM statement verifies that AMLO did graduate from college. Earlier, the PAN representative at IFE, Germán Martínez, had accused AMLO of not having a bachelor’s degree. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/13/009n2pol.php A federal judge cancels the arrest warrant against Luis de la Barreda, accused for the kidnapping of Jesús Piedra Ibarra in 1975. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/13/015n1pol.php IFE stops the Chamber of Deputies from airing ads calling for people to vote. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139387.html
June 13, 2006 The Mexican stock market has its seventh straight day of losses. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/14/024n1eco.php Representatives of seven parties sign the civility pact at IFE’s headquarters; PANAL does not sign the accord. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139409.html June 14, 2006 Oaxacan police forcibly remove the teachers that had been demonstrating since late May from the Zócalo of Oaxaca City. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/15/003n1pol.php June 15, 2006 Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas accepts the invitation issued by Vicente Fox to chair the commission to celebrate the bicentenary of the independence and the centenary of the revolution. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/16/017n1pol.php The stock market bounces back, gaining 6.73%. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/16/025n6eco.php June 16, 2006 A demonstration in Oaxaca City, organized by Section 22 of the Teachers’ Union (SNTE), calls for the resignation of Governor Ulises Ruiz. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/17/003n1pol.php A group of as many as 500 PAN members in Coahuila allegedly resigned to the party and joined Madrazo. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139547.html June 18, 2006 Guerrero has seen a wave of murders in the last few days. A regional police chief, based in Acapulco, is assassinated in Chilpancingo. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/19/021n1pol.php People claiming to represent the “ala campesina” of Alternativa join Madrazo’s campaign. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/19/007n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139677.html 24
June 19, 2006 Madrazo promises to expand Oportunidades. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139675.html Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas calls for a new constitution by the year 2010. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139662.html June 21, 2006 Several police officers from Playas de Rosarito, Baja California are found beheaded in Tijuana. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/22/042n1est.php June 22, 2006 IFE General Council members disagree over legality of the TV ads sponsored by the CCE, which are regarded as indirect attacks against AMLO. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/23/006n1pol.php The CROC national leadership announces that it will promote, amongst its membership, voting in favor of AMLO, since Madrazo is far behind the two leading contenders. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/23/010n3pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139793.html Coparmex is accused of sponsoring the special interest TV ads showing Hugo Chávez and asking people to vote. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139785.html June 23, 2006 Section 22 of the Teachers’ Union, based in Oaxaca, announces that it will not boycott the presidential elections in the state, contrary to what it had previously claimed. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/24/034n1soc.php The CCE announces that it will not withdraw its TV ads celebrating macroeconomic stability. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/24/009n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139861.html June 24, 2006 At a rally in Nuevo Laredo, Calderón associates Lopez Obrador with the mafias that have taken over the city. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139913.html o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/25/007n1pol.php June 25, 2006 Cardinal Norberto Rivera calls on people to vote. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139958.html Felipe Calderón holds mass rally at the Estadio Azteca. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/26/005n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139942.html Eight bodies are found tortured and murdered in Acapulco. 25
o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/26/033n1est.php June 26, 2006 Guillermo Ortiz, governor of the Bank of Mexico, is elected member of the administrative council of the Bank of International Settlements. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/27/028n2eco.php The UNAM and the IMSS workers’ unions endorse AMLO. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/139990.html A national strike in support of the leader of the miners’ union is cancelled. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/27/020n1pol.php June 27, 2006 Madrazo holds massive rally at the Monument of the Revolution. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/28/010n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140022.html IFE’s General Council asks that several of the special interest group ads be withdrawn. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140038.html A police chief of Cancún is assassinated along with his bodyguard. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/28/038n1est.php June 28, 2006 AMLO holds massive rally at the Zócalo. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/29/010n1pol.php At midnight, campaigns are required to stop airing ads or holding campaign events. The CCE, showing its “good faith,” withdraws its ads as well. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140050.html June 29, 2006 The French newspaper Le Figaro publishes an interview with Vicente Fox in which he calls for the establishment of a “second round” in Mexican presidential elections. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140096.html President Fox’s mother, Mercedes Quesada, dies at age 86. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/30/016n2pol.php A human head is found on the front entrance to the city hall in Acapulco. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/06/30/035n1est.php June 30, 2006 AMLO’s website is allegedly hacked for a few minutes, showing a fake letter in which the candidate calls for mobilizations after the election. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140134.html Online gambling at the site www.intrade.com gives AMLO a lead for odds of winning the election. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140120.html Former president Luis Echeverría is placed under house arrest, accused of genocide. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/01/014n1pol.php Two more human heads are found at the entrance to the city hall in Acapulco. 26
o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/01/035n1est.php July 1, 2006 Section 22 of the Teachers’ Union, demonstrating in Oaxaca City, confirms that it will not boycott the elections. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/02/038n1soc.php July 2, 2006 Elections take place. IFE announces that 99.4% of polling stations opened throughout the country. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/03/005n1pol.php IFE General Council president Luis Carlos Ugalde announces that the margin of difference between the candidates is too narrow to declare a winner of the election until Wednesday. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140192.html First AMLO and then Calderón declare themselves winners of the election. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140193.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140194.html PANAL and Alternativa survive as registered national political parties; the PRI underperforms expectations in all races. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140239.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140198.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140196.html
July 3, 2006 PREP results show Calderón ahead of AMLO by a narrow margin. AMLO challenges the validity of the PREP and demands a full recount. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140251.html o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/04/005n1pol.php Roberto Campa concedes Calderón’s victory. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140250.html Roberto Madrazo accepts his defeat, although he stops short of accepting Calderón’s victory. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/04/009n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140238.html July 4, 2006 Once “inconsistent” votes are included in the PREP, the difference between Calderón and AMLO shrinks from 1.04% to 0.63%. Final PREP results shows Calderón winning by 0.60%. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140263.html Héctor Osuna Jaime is appointed president of the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel). o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/05/019n1pol.php
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July 5, 2006 At the district count, AMLO is ahead of Calderón throughout the day, but Calderón overcomes the difference at the very end. The PAN accuses the PRD of purposefully delaying the counts in panista districts to allow for an early AMLO lead. Final count shows Calderón winning by 0.58%. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/5.html Calderón offers AMLO a position in his cabinet. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/06/014n1pol.php Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas meets with Felipe Calderón. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/11.html July 6, 2006 Patricia Mercado concedes Calderón’s victory. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140349.html Luis Carlos Ugalde announces that the candidate “with the most votes” was Calderón. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/07/003n1pol.php o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140322.html Several PRD members yell “Traitor, because of you we lost!” at Michoacán governor Lázaro Cárdenas as he leaves AMLO’s campaign headquarters. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140341.html Experts disagree on whether the law allows for a full recount, as AMLO demands. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140328.html July 7, 2006 Ricardo Monreal, close advisor to AMLO, states that the AMLO campaign does not intend to meet with Felipe Calderón. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140376.html The presidents of the United States and Spain and the prime minister of Canada call Calderón to congratulate him on the results of the election. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140371.html Seats for the new Senate are distributed as follows: PAN, 52; CpBT, 36; CApM, 39; PaNAl, 1. o http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=140365&tabla =nacion Seats for the new Chamber of Deputies are distributed as follows: PAN, 206; CpBT, 160; CApM, 121; PaNAl, 9; Alternativa, 4. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140364.html July 8, 2006 AMLO holds a rally of approximately 250,000 people, dubbed an “informative session,” in Mexico City’s Zócalo. He calls for peaceful demonstrations to demand a full recount and denounces Fox as a “traitor to democracy.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140397.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140396.html o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/09/003n1pol.php
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A federal judge finds that the charges of genocide against former president Echeverría cannot be pursued. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/09/021n1pol.php
July 9, 2006 The Coalición por el Bien de Todos submits its case to the electoral tribunal asking for a full recount; the document runs to 800 pages. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140430.html July 10, 2006 President Fox says that despite the presence of some “renegades,” the country is moving forward. His statement draws criticism from the PRD. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140471.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140473.html PRI governors divide over accepting Calderón’s victory. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140469.html AMLO holds a press conference to show a video of a person allegedly putting votes illegally into an urn. The IFE counters that the person was simply relocating misplaced votes. The PRD’s representative at the precinct avers that nothing untoward occurred. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140454.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140457.html Televisa’s El Privilegio de Mandar concludes its final broadcast with a criticism of AMLO’s plan to challenge the results of the elections. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140453.html July 11, 2006 AMLO presents two more videos allegedly showing electoral fraud. He also argues that several of the PRD’s polling station representatives were bribed. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140490.html July 12, 2006 Demonstrations asking for a full recount begin throughout the country. Protesters are scheduled to meet at Mexico City’s Zócalo the upcoming Sunday. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140478.html In an interview with the Washington Post, Calderón reportedly agrees with a partial recount, but argued that a full recount would be “absurd and illegal.” o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140520.html o Washington Post, July 12 2006, p. A1. July 13, 2006 The PAN leadership announces that it will unilaterally cease verbal confrontations with the PRD. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140556.html Several, but not all, union members of the National Workers’ Union (UNT) endorse AMLO’s call for demonstrations. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140554.html 29
Elba Esther Gordillo is expelled from the PRI. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/14/014n1pol.php Manlio Fabio Beltrones is elected as the PRI leader in the newly elected Senate. o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/15/015n1pol.php
July 15, 2006 President Fox leaves for Russia to participate in the G8 Summit. He will also visit Spain in this, his 55th trip abroad while in office. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140588.html July 16, 2006 AMLO holds a second “informative session” in Mexico City’s Zócalo; approximately one million people attend. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140631.html o http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/07/17/003n1pol.php The PAN accuses AMLO of trying to blackmail the electoral tribunal. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140634.html July 18, 2006 When exiting an event with workers’ organizations, Calderón is insulted by several people, one of whom kicks his car. AMLO argues that the insults against Felipe Calderón were made “in legitimate defense” against electoral fraud. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140815.html o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140817.html July 19, 2006 AMLO states that he would end the demonstrations if Calderón agrees to have a full recount of the election, but insists that he will never acknowledge a Calderón presidency as legitimate. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140835.html July 20, 2006 PRD president Leonel Cota urges all PRD members not to accept any positions in the federal government. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140869.html An exhibit in the Alameda Central of Mexico City calling for a full recount is vandalized overnight. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/140856.html July 24, 2006 Marco Antonio Bernal, closely identified with Manlio Fabio Beltrones, is named secretary of the National Confederation of Popular Organizations (CNOP), a corporatist association affiliated with the PRI. His main competitor was former Oaxaca governor José Murat. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/141033.html
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Emilio Gamboa Patrón is elected leader of the PRI congressional group in the Chamber of Deputies. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/141031.html
July 25, 2006 AMLO sends a letter to Calderón urging him to accept a full recount and listing inequities in the electoral process. Calderón replies that the electoral process was entirely fair and that any decision about a recount rests exclusively with the Electoral Tribunal. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/141046.html July 26, 2006 According to an Ipsos-Bimsa poll, 48% of the people are in favor of a recount while 28% are against. As reported by Ipsos-Bimsa, the difference between votes for Calderon and AMLO is 0.6%. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/141084.html In an interview with Univisión, AMLO argues that he is the legitimate president of Mexico. o http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/141076.html
Please report omissions or inaccuracies to Francisco Flores (fflores@mit.edu)
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