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Mexico president in mid-term test Poll setback for Mexican leader
(about 2 hours later)
Mexicans have voted in mid-term congressional elections expected to determine the fate of President Felipe Calderon's economic reforms. Early results from Mexico's mid-term congressional elections suggest the centre-right party of President Felipe Calderon's is heading for defeat.
Opinion polls put his conservative National Action Party (PAN) behind the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) that had dominated politics until 1997. The opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which dominated politics until 1997, appears to have made a comeback.
The campaign has been dominated by the collapsing economy and the president's push against deadly drug gangs. It is likely to be the biggest party in the Lower House of Congress.
Correspondents say PAN is likely to lose its slim parliamentary majority. The campaign has been dominated by a collapsing Mexican economy, and a drive against drug gangs.
Mr Calderon won bitterly fought presidential elections three years ago promising reforms to Mexico's tax system and energy sector to help restore economic growth. Mr Calderon, who heads the conservative National Action Party (PAN), won a bitterly fought presidential election three years ago promising reforms to restore economic growth.
We're in the worst crisis Voter Salvador Zavala Mexicans hit hard by US woes Taking on Mexico's kidnap gangsWe're in the worst crisis Voter Salvador Zavala Mexicans hit hard by US woes Taking on Mexico's kidnap gangs
Mexico has been badly hit this year by the global recession and a drop in the amount of money sent home by migrant workers.Mexico has been badly hit this year by the global recession and a drop in the amount of money sent home by migrant workers.
The outbreak of swine flu in April has also scared off tourists, which the government has warned may cost the economy more than $2bn (£1.2bn).The outbreak of swine flu in April has also scared off tourists, which the government has warned may cost the economy more than $2bn (£1.2bn).
"We're in the worst crisis," Salvador Zavala, 66, told Reuters news agency as he voted north of the capital, Mexico City."We're in the worst crisis," Salvador Zavala, 66, told Reuters news agency as he voted north of the capital, Mexico City.
Government worker Thelma Flores said she was concerned about jobs and education, as she waited to cast her ballot.
"That's what generates the other things, the criminality and organised crime. It's because of a lack of opportunities," she told the Associated Press news agency.
If the PRI is able to form a parliamentary majority, it could block the president's efforts to give more powers to the 45,000 soldiers deployed to root out the country's powerful drug cartels, AP reports.If the PRI is able to form a parliamentary majority, it could block the president's efforts to give more powers to the 45,000 soldiers deployed to root out the country's powerful drug cartels, AP reports.
The PRI was in power for nearly seven decades until losing its majority 12 years ago.The PRI was in power for nearly seven decades until losing its majority 12 years ago.
Mexicans are electing 500 members of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, as well as six state governors and hundreds of mayors.Mexicans are electing 500 members of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, as well as six state governors and hundreds of mayors.