Lopez Obrador denies “tipping scales” in definition of presidential candidacy

Mexico City, Sep 5 (EFE).- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador denied on Tuesday “tipping the balance” in the definition of the presidential candidacy of his party, the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), which will announce its candidate for the 2024 elections on Wednesday.

“Tomorrow, they will announce the result of the poll (…) I have not tipped the scales. It will be the people consulted, the ones to select the candidate,” declared the president in his daily press conference.

Morena’s presidential candidate will be announced on Wednesday after conducting an in-person survey of 12,500 citizens, who will choose between six candidates of the ruling party.

The internal process, which began in June, has been marked by controversy because Marcelo Ebrard, one of the aspirants denounced “a great disorder” in the survey and accused Morena, the federal government, and Mexico City government officials of using resources to mobilize voters in favor the candidate leading the polls, Claudia Sheinbaum.

“I am going to support whoever wins the poll. As a leading member of the transformation movement, I will support and hand him the baton, not the presidential sash. I am going to hand over the baton to lead the transformation movement,” mentioned the Mexican president.

The president still has ayear left in power until October 1, 2024, when his succesor, the winner of the June 2024 elections will take office.

“I will stay one year governing to continue helping the people, consolidate the transformation, finish works, what we are talking about, but tomorrow, whoever is elected will be supported, in my case,” he remarked. EFE

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