Mexico election diary: An inconclusive second round

The Economist: IF LAST month’s opening presidential debate was reminiscent of a bout of lucha libre, last night’s follow-up was more like an extremely complicated (and, at two hours, rather over-long) game show. After criticism that May’s debate was too rigid, the electoral authorities came up with a new formula to allow more interjection and argument. The rules were baffling. But the result was a much better debate which, early estimates suggest, may have been the most widely watched in Mexico’s history.

Like last time, there was no clear winner or loser. All four candidates did somewhat better than in May’s round, looking less nervous and trading jibes with more confidence. The clearest change in strategy came from Josefina Vázquez Mota, the candidate of the ruling National Action Party (PAN), who went sharply on the offensive. Read more.