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Mexico’s new leader takes oath amid Congress brawl

Lawmakers scuffle, and one uses a chair to try to block an access at Mexico's National Congress, as opposition lawmakers try to block the arrival of President-elect Felipe Calderon on Friday. (Photos by Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Jay Root McClatchy
Lawmakers scuffle, and one uses a chair to try to block an access at Mexico's National Congress, as opposition lawmakers try to block the arrival of President-elect Felipe Calderon on Friday. (Photos by Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

MEXICO CITY – Felipe Calderon walked into a violence-racked Mexican Congress on Friday and hurriedly took his oath of office, marking a chaotic finale to the closest and most bitterly contested presidential race in the country’s history.

Staying in the tense chamber just long enough to slap on his presidential sash and sing the national anthem, Calderon broke with inaugural tradition and left for safer ground, the National Auditorium, to deliver his first televised speech as the president of Mexico.

“I’m aware of the complexity of the circumstances in which I am assuming the presidency,” said Calderon, still seen by many on the left as a corrupt usurper. “But I’m used to confronting and overcoming all obstacles.”

Less than two hours before Calderon arrived at the House of Deputies, punches flew and shoving matches broke out between his conservative allies and the liberal opposition. Loyal to fiery populist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the militant leftists were trying to prevent Calderon from being sworn in.

Foreign dignitaries, including former President George H.W. Bush, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Prince Felipe of Spain, watched the ceremonial mayhem from the galleries above.

“Espurio! Espurio!” the leftists yelled at Calderon from the House floor, signaling their charge that the 44-year-old conservative is a “spurious” pretender who stole the election with stuffed ballots and high-tech fraud.

“Mexico! Mexico! Felipe! Felipe!” responded the ruling conservatives.

After coming through the one entrance not blocked by protesting lawmakers, Calderon seemed to appear out of nowhere. Determined but often grim-faced, he quickly extended his hand forward in a stiff salute and, ignoring the shouts below, loudly barked out his oath of office. House leader Jorge Zermeno then handed over the tri-color sash, and Calderon, standing next to outgoing President Vicente Fox, fixed it diagonally across his chest.

If there was any moment of unity, it came when the band fired up a lively rendition of the national anthem. The competing cries of “Fraud!” and “Mexico!” resumed when the music stopped. Calderon and Fox were gone in minutes.