Opposition Walks Out as Salinas Takes Oath

Carlos Salinas de Gortari was inaugurated as president of Mexico today, prompting a walkout by opponents who said his government is illegitimate and won’t make the economic and political reforms the people want.

About 150 of the 564 lawmakers walked out just before Salinas was inaugurated, while members of the National Action Front held up signs saying “Fraud.”

In his inaugural address Salinas said he was taking power at a time of conflict and change and promised “nationalist, democratic and popular” reforms.

“I will be prudent in never risking the destiny of country . . . but firm in maintaining order and the constitution,” Salinas said. “I will govern for all Mexicans.”

Marcela Lombardo, a member of the opposition who spoke to the Congress before Salinas’ inauguration, was applauded when she said that the front’s candidate, Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, had been cheated of victory in the election by the governing Institutional Revolutionary Party.

“This is an ill-fated day, because the right of the people to select their rulers is being violated,” she said.

Salinas took power from President Miguel de la Madrid at a special session of Congress after the opposition speeches. The opposition had threatened to disrupt the ceremony if that was not permitted.

According to official figures Salinas won barely more than 50% of the presidential vote, while Cardenas won 31% and the conservative National Action Party candidate, Manuel Clouthier, had 17%.

“I want to be the voice of those who, believing in better times, were once again victims of contempt for their rights,” said National Action delegate Abel Vicencio Tovar.

The people of Mexico voted “for another program radically different from the one applied during the administration that is ending,” said Lombardo, a delegate from Mexico City.

Salinas is a disciple and exponent of the free market, while leftist Cardenas called for a bigger government role in the economy and suspension of payments on the nation’s debt.

With Cabinet appointments announced Wednesday, Salinas served notice that he intends to push ahead with the economic policies he designed while serving as budget director: encouraging competition and reducing state involvement in the economy.