« 2006 December Prayer Guide | Main | Download Dec. 2006 Newsletter »
December 03, 2006
Calderon Installed
Using some intrigue and a seldom used stage door, Calderon and Fox managed to slip into the congress building on Dec. 1 at 9:43. They completed the constitutionally required congressional transfer of power in less than five minutes before a chaotic quorum of Congress.
The PRD members had blocked all of the main entrances stacking up chairs against the doors. But the PAN members, for 4 days and nights now, have controlled the platform area where the transfer took place. This morning at 8:00, an hour and 45 minutes before Filipe and Vicente arrived, a huge fist fight and chair throwing protest broke out on the floor. It was wild with some minor injuries to congressmen and women.
Calderon and Fox had said they would come at 10:15 am but suddenly, one-half hour early, there they were reciting the formal words of power transfer and passing the presidential Banda before many on the floor realized what was happening. The PRD members were chagrined because they were confident they could block this formal event.
Former President Bush and the USA ambassador almost missed the show getting into an upper balcony of the Congress just minutes before Calderon appeared.
The PAN president of congress then quickly announced the National Anthem after the power transfer and no one, of course, dared to embarrass themselves during this holy moment. Immediately after the anthem Calderon and Fox quickly left the Congress at 9:47.
Fox flew off to his ranch to retire. Calderon headed to the National Auditorium and, under tight security made a thirty minute speech to thousands of invited guests including those who came from abroad.
Then Calderon went to the big military camp on Constituentes for a military review and another speech. Right now he and hundreds of invited guests are having comida at the Museo de Antropologia. Tonight there is a dinner and dance at the Castillo in Chapultepec.
Meanwhile, this morning AMLO occupied the Zocalo, and before about 50 thousand of his supporters, protested the presidency of Calderon for about 90 minutes. He was not wearing his presidential sash. Not even a tie.
It looks like we are getting through this historic day without major violence but it surely was an ugly, at times almost comical, transfer of power.
Bill VT
Posted by nanana at December 3, 2006 08:34 PM