Pledging to “transform Mexico,” President Felipe Calderon this weekend delivered his first State of the Union address. He vowed to continue using the military in fighting the drug war and highlighted economic achievements, including the creation of 618,000 jobs since January. The President also advocated reforms in the tax system and election laws, with the hopes of limiting contributions and shortening campaigns. He earned a standing ovation with his criticism of U.S. immigration policy and the treatment of Mexicans in the U.S., for whom he promised to advocate.
For the first time, the State of the Union speech was delivered at the National Palace and not before Congress. Opposition legislators had voted to block Calderon from delivering the speech in Congress. Despite the rumblings of some legislators, particularly in the opposition PRD party, Calderon enjoys a national approval rating of 65% according to a poll conducted by Reforma newspaper.
Photo: President Calderon delivering the State of the Union address (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
