Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador spoke to about 100,000 followers in Mexico City's main square, one of the smallest turnouts he has drawn since he narrowly lost the disputed July 2006 elections to President Felipe Calderon. He claimed he now has 1.7 million registered supporters nationwide, and expects to reach a total of 5 million next year.
But his followers also appeared likely to re-ignite tensions with the Roman Catholic Church, after about 50 people at the rally stormed into the city's main cathedral, overturning pews and knocking over an altar rail.
They said they were angered by the pealing of the cathedral's bells during Lopez Obrador's rally, but his followers have frequently interrupted services there, shouting slogans against church officials they accuse of being involved in politics.
Msgr. Ruben Avila, who was participating in the service, called the disruption "unacceptable" and "reproachable."
A revival of Mexico's flagging oil industry appeared to be Lopez Obrador's main demand.
"We are facing one of the nation's most critical moments," Lopez Obrador said, referring to declining oil production and the lack of refinery capacity at the state-run oil company Pemex that forces the country to import gasoline.
"This has created a dangerous situation of (energy) dependence," said Lopez Obrador, who views oil as "the motor" of Mexico's economy. He said the emergency investment plan — which he claimed could be largely paid for by cutting spending on official salaries and perks — should also be used to increase drilling and modernize the country's petrochemical plants.
He also told followers that he would call mass demonstrations if Calderon's administration tries to "hand the nation's oil over to foreigners."
Lopez Obrador has claimed fraud was responsible for his loss to Calderon by less than 1 percentage point and the former Mexico City mayor declared himself "legitimate president." Calderon and electoral officials deny there was fraud.
Via: IHT
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