Thread: Leftists take over both chambers of Mexican Congress

Leftists take over both chambers of Mexican Congress

By Jessica Bernstein-Wax
ASSOCIATED PRESS

1:08 p.m. April 10, 2008

MEXICO CITY – Leftist lawmakers took over both chambers of Mexico's Congress on Thursday to protest President Felipe Calderón's energy reform bill.
Lawmakers of the Democratic Revolution Party stormed the podiums and forced a recess in both the Senate and lower house of Congress at about 1 p.m. (2 p.m. EDT, 1800 GMT). [b]Some donned oil worker hard hats and shouted, “The country is not for sale!â€

Isn't it odd that Mexican leftists want to preserve their sovereignity, but the American leftists want to give ours away?

Hmmmmm, rather similar to the storming of the Capitol building a few months ago, isn't it?

Third World is as Third World does I suppose.

Originally Posted by azwreath

Hmmmmm, rather similar to the storming of the Capitol building a few months ago, isn't it?

Third World is as Third World does I suppose.

Apparently the storming of our Capitol wasn't strong enough!

Mexico lawmakers vow to keep up protest in Congress until oil reform debated

By Jessica Bernstein-Wax
ASSOCIATED PRESS

12:21 p.m. April 11, 2008

MEXICO CITY – Leftist lawmakers who seized both chambers of Mexico's Congress said Friday they will not move until winning a national debate on an oil reform bill backed by President Felipe Calderón.
Legislators from the Democratic Revolution Party and two minor parties stormed the podiums of both the Senate and the lower house of Congress on Thursday to protest the bill, which they say would open the door to selling off parts of the state-run industry.

A small group of lawmakers spent the night there in blankets and sleeping bags and took turns guarding the podiums, which were draped in signs accusing Calderón of trying to privatize the industry. Mexico's oil reserves were nationalized in 1938.
“We're going to stay here as long as we need to,â€

Mexico opposition barricades Congress

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO, Associated Press Writer
54 minutes ago



MEXICO CITY - Leftist lawmakers erected makeshift barricades Monday around the podium in Mexico's lower house of Congress, where they have been camped out for more than five days to protest the president's oil reform proposal.

They piled heavy chairs around the speaker's platform, while their colleagues in the Senate began fasting to demand that Congress schedule a 4-month national debate on the energy bill backed by President Felipe Calderon. They have not said what such a debate would entail.

Seeking to end the takeover, senators with Calderon's National Action Party, or PAN, and the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, offered later Monday to compromise and debate the issue for 50 days.

"The uninterrupted 50-day term is broad enough for everyone to be heard," said PRI Sen. Manlio Fabio Beltrones. The Democratic Revolution Party, or PRD, which is leading the protests, did not immediately respond.

The coordinator for the PAN in the Senate, Santiago Creel, said it was unlikely Congress would be able to approve the bill by April 30, when the legislative session ends.

Oil production in Mexico, one of the top suppliers to the United States, is declining, and reform advocates say state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, needs outside resources to explore for reserves. The bill would allow Pemex to partner with private companies for exploration and refining.

Opponents claim the bill would lead toward selling off parts of Pemex and threaten national sovereignty.

Sen. Carlos Navarrete, leader of the PRD bloc, vowed disruptions would continue.

"We have made a gigantic effort — at enormous political and physical costs — to push for a wider debate," he told W Radio on Monday.

The tactics in Congress are supported by Mexico's foremost leftist leader, former PRD presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who drew more than 100,000 supporters to a Sunday rally against the oil reform in Mexico City's central square.

Last week, lawmakers from the PRD — the second largest bloc in Congress — and from two minor parties stormed the podiums in the house and Senate after Calderon introduced the bill.

Mexico's Constitution bans most private and foreign involvement in the oil industry, although Pemex subcontracts some work to private firms. The bill would allow Pemex to pay bonuses to private companies but not a share of the oil profits.

Lopez Obrador said the bill aims to privatize Pemex, allowing Mexico's oil revenues — which provide for nearly 40 percent of the national budget — to go to private and foreign companies.

Calderon has repeatedly denied he plans to privatize Pemex.

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