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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | March 2006 
Mexican Voters Want Presidential Debates
 Angus Reid
| | Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, presidential candidate for Mexico's leftist PRD (Party of the Democratic Revolution), speaks in Guadalajara's main square during a campaign rally. (Reuters/Mario Castillo) |
Many Mexicans would like to have the opportunity to compare the views of their presidential candidates, according to a poll by Consulta Mitofsky. 73.6 per cent of respondents think a debate should take place this year.
The presidential election is scheduled for Jul. 2. Former Mexico City mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), former energy secretary Felipe Calderón of the National Action Party (PAN), and former Tabasco governor Roberto Madrazo of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) are the main contenders in the race.
Mexico has held presidential debates in the campaigns leading up to the 1994 and 2000 elections. 57.5 per cent of respondents say debates are good because they allow people to become aware of the proposals of candidates.
The PAN and the PRI have proposed holding four debates before this year’s ballot. PRD campaign coordinator Jesús Ortega said the two parties want López Obrador to "suspend his strategy," adding, "We will take part on one of the debates, it’s absurd to have four."
The National Chamber for the Radio and Television Industry (CIRT)—which has been in charge of organizing past presidential debates in Mexico—has suggested holding two televised meetings between the five presidential contenders.
Polling Data
Do you think a presidential debate should take place this year?
Yes - 73.6%
No - 24.4%
Some people think debates are good because they allow people to become aware of the proposals of candidates, while others believe they are bad because they only generate discussions and shouting matches. Which view comes closest to yours?
Debates are good - 57.5%
Debates are bad - 40.8%
No answer - 1.7%
Source: Consulta Mitofsky
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 402 Mexican adults, conducted on Mar. 4, 2006. Margin of error is 4 per cent. |
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