Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed a “deep and radical” change in Mexico as he swore in as the country’s president Saturday, after winning a landslide election victory.
The leader, widely known by his initials as “AMLO,” took the oath of office and donned the presidential sash before Congress — where the coalition led by the upstart party he founded four years ago, Morena, now has strong majorities in both houses.
Ending 89 years of government by the same two parties, Lopez Obrador surged to victory promising a new approach to issues fueling widespread outrage among Mexican voters: crime, poverty and corruption.
But not everyone is persuaded by the brand of change he is promising: critics say the sharp-tongued, silver-haired leader has a radical and authoritarian streak. And despite his promises of business-friendly policies, Mexican stocks and the peso have plunged in recent weeks.
That did not stop Lopez Obrador, 65, from doubling down on his promise of a sweeping “transformation” during his six-year term.
