The PRD will decide its 2012 candidate for Mexico City mayor by a poll, like it decided its 2012 presidential candidate. The poll will have efectos vinculantes or loosely "binding effects" on the PRD state council, which still holds the final word - which sounds a bit of a catch.
"External candidacies" will also be allowed - so as not to leave out Miguel Ángel Mancera, the attorney general and increasingly rumored to be the favorite to succeed Ebrard, as well as the rather unlikely candidacy of Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, who left/was kicked out of the PRD more than a decade ago.
The candidate will be officially ratified Feb. 11 or 12, when the council is scheduled to meet to digest the result of the poll.
Now, off to filet migñon and copious amounts of tequila - happy christmas!
