President reaffirms reform agenda

Speaking to an invited audience at the National Palace, President Felipe Calderón reaffirmed his 10-point ‘Agenda for Change,’ as he marked the start of the second half of his government. His most extensive remarks were devoted to the need to strengthen public finances. He said that despite addressing the immediate shortfalls in the 2010 budget, “the truth is that we are very far away from a solution to the structural problems that confront the Mexican State.” He called again for a broad debate on fiscal reform and a second round of energy sector reforms. He also repeated his call for a political reform “to generate the conditions that will enable us to overcome the institutional paralysis that has blocked the country from reaching agreements on fundamental issues.” (Presidencia 11/28, Universal 11/29)