Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mexican Election: Candidates for president: Fernandez de Cevallos: 'no lies'

Sunday 14 August 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

DIEGO Fernandez de Cevallos, 53, of the National Action Party (Pan), came from a strongly Catholic family of 15 children. Although Mexico is largely Catholic, his devout background worries many Mexican liberals, including women, on such issues as abortion. Considered the epitomy of the 'pure white' - that is, of pure Spanish origin Mexican - he wore his greying beard Khomeini-like to his chest until campaign advisers suggested he trim it to its present look. Mexicans see little difference between him and the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), on most issues. Many fear he has worked out a deal with the PRI for a two-party coalition should neither win clearly.

Mr Fernandez de Cevallos edged ahead of Ernesto Zedillo, the presidential candidate of the PRI, in the polls after a live television debate which was held in May. But afterwards he virtually stopped campaigning. That added to the 'deal with the PRI' theory. And at his closing rally in Mexico City on Saturday night, Mr Fernandez de Cevallos drew a crowd of only around 30,000. It was raining heavily but many Mexicans felt that his speech and demeanour were those of a man who was either not expecting to win, or was afraid of doing so. His campaign slogan is: 'For a Mexico without lies'.

(Photograph omitted)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in