However, no matter who proves victorious in July, the process before and after matters far more than which candidate ultimately triumphs in the election. Corruption, voter intimidation, and ballot stuffing have long held a place in Mexican politics. Violence, political repression, and non-recognition of elected winners cannot be allowed to run rampant. Civil disobedience by PRD members, as in 1988, must be avoided. TRC 2006 Projections

After nearly a week of paralyzing Mexico City’s Zocalo Plaza and blocking off the Reforma, one of the city’s main arteries, Andr?s Manuel L?pez Obrador and thousands of his Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) supporters are preparing for the continuance of mass political demonstrations. The August 5 announcement by Mexico’s Federal Electoral Tribunal ordering a partial and limited recount of nearly 12,000 polling stations merely reinforced the determination of PRD protestors and evoked threats of violence and revolution. The actions since July 8 have demonstrated Mexico’s limited growth in democratic governance while causing robust short-term losses to Mexico City’s economy. Additionally, continued political unrest in the nation’s capital could hinder long-term prospects for the country’s economic growth