The Conflict

The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) dominated the political life of Mexico for 71 years. Although the 2000 elections were hotly contested, the opposition parties succeeded in breaking the PRI's political dominance. Under the PRI's leadership, Mexico has had mixed fortunes, at times achieving high levels of economic development and social progress since 1929, but also experiencing serious economic downturns and social problems during the past two decades. The people of Mexico have thus chosen to place the fate of the country into the hands of the National Action Party (PAN), at least until the next election in 2006.

Political

• Mexicans are frustrated with the political corruption and the undemocratic practices of the past PRI governments. They expect the new president, Vicente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN), to make sweeping changes to the political life of the country.
• The Zapatista rebels have demanded...