Latvian Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary to represent Latvia at inauguration of Mexican President [29 Nov 2006]

On 1 December 2006, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Eriks Zunda, will attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Mexico.

From 30 November, a number of events connected with the assumption of the presidency will be held in Mexico, including an official farewell dinner hosted by the administration of the current Mexican President Vicente Fox. The inauguration of the newly-elected President Calderon, and the dinner for foreign Heads of State and Government and foreign delegations to celebrate the occasion is scheduled for 1 December.

Among foreign guests invited to the inauguration ceremony will be former U.S. President George W. Bush Senior, Canadian Prime Minister Stephan Harper, Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, Argentine President Nestor Kichner, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez, and presidents from a number of Central American countries.

Mr Calderon takes over as the President of Mexico at a politically difficult moment. At the presidential election held on 2 July this year, Mr Calderon from the National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional) gained victory over Mr Lopez Obrador from the left-wing opposition, with a narrow majority of votes. Mr Lopez Obrador demanded a partial recount of votes which lasted until 5 September, when the Supreme Court of Mexico officially announced Mr Felipe Calderon as the new Mexican President. Lopez Obrador has not acknowledged his defeat and Felipe Calderon as the newly-elected legitimate Mexican President, and continues to organize various protest actions in Mexico.

Mr Felipe Calderon's Presidency will last from 2006 until 2012.

(end of text)