Ebrard, mano dura

Marcelo Ebrard is capable of showing quite a bit of resolve when needed: As we wait for the three polls that  will decide the left's candidate for mayor of Mexico City, Ebrard had forbidden any member of his government to make any declarations in favor or against any candidate, so as not to risk a fracture on the left.

It seems Tourism Minister Alejandro Rojas couldn't keep his mouth shut - he stupidly proclaimed that Miguel Mancera would be the candidate - and Ebrard promptly fired him.

Now that's what I call mano dura. Yet the damage may already be done: It may not be enough to keep Alejandra Barrales from expanding her protests, and possibly fracture the left.

AMLO names minister of economy

Yet another name for a possible AMLO cabinet: He recently announced as, should he win in 2012,  his future  minister of the economy, Fernando Turner Dávila, a Nuevo León businessman who is head of ANEI, the national association of independent businessmen (Asociación Nacional de Empresarios Independientes).

Deadline passes, five millions did not renew IFE credentials

Long lines formed the past days outside IFE centers due to a Jan. 15 deadline to renew voter credentials  for those whose cards ended in 2003. Unless they did so, they will not be able to vote in the 2012 election.

There is some cause to worry here: Around 5 million people registered did not do so, a very big chunk of the electorate. IFE, which refused to extend the deadline (citing, correctly, previously agreed law), insisted that "60 percent" of these have left the country, and a further "25 percent" are deceased. Even if true, that would still leave 600,000 or so unable to vote in 2012.

Peña Nieto as Putin?

Here's a column by Jorge Zepada in English for the Financial Times that is well worth the read:

The result of the 2012 elections will push one way or the other. If the PRI wins with such a big margin that it ends up controlling Congress, the temptation for Peña Nieto to become a Mexican Putin will be immense. The public’s yearning for a crack-down on organised crime will only encourage him further. The deterioration of the security situation in Mexico is a tailor-made alibi for an authoritarian government and a big win would look like a blank cheque sent directly from the people.

Read the column here.

(I am currently working on his excellent edited volume "Los Suspirantes 2012," on the 2012 candidates - more on that book later).

Mexico vs. Brazil, perceptions and reality

Jorge Castañeda has a quite thoughtful comparison on Mexico and Brazil in Reforma that is well worth the read (Reforma is subscriber only, but the article is also available here.)

Another Mario Marín ex-functionary arrested in Puebla

Authorities in Puebla arrested Alfredo Arango García, who was secretary of health in the terrible 2005-11 administration of child rapist-protector and misogynist Mario Marín Torres, on corruption charges.

Will Marín ever share the same fate? I keep on dreaming.

Javier Sicilia won't run for congress, despite offer

Javier Sicilia and Julián Le Baron, prominent social activists, won't run for the Mexican congress in 2012, despite being offered candidacies by the left's Movimiento Progresista.

Too bad - it would have allowed them a much bigger forum and wider audience for their anti-violence message.