Protests in Congress on energy bill
Leftist lawmakers stormed the podiums and forced a recess in both chambers of Mexico’s Congress to protest President Felipe Calderon’s energy reform bill. The legislation would make it easier for the state oil company to enter into contracts for outside help to develop oil fields.
Legislators with the Democratic Revolution Party and two minor parties staged the protests in the Senate and the lower house. Some shouted, “The country is not for sale!”
The bill’s opponents say it would leave state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, in the hands of private or even foreign investors.
Lawmakers said they were worried that they would not get to debate the proposal, especially after Energy Secretary Georgina Kessel canceled a meeting with them.
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