Leftists take over both chambers of Mexican Congress

By Jessica Bernstein-Wax

ASSOCIATED PRESS

1:08 p.m. April 10, 2008

MEXICO CITY – Leftist lawmakers took over both chambers of Mexico's Congress on Thursday to protest President Felipe Calderón's energy reform bill.

Lawmakers of the Democratic Revolution Party stormed the podiums and forced a recess in both the Senate and lower house of Congress at about 1 p.m. (2 p.m. EDT, 1800 GMT). Some donned oil worker hard hats and shouted, “The country is not for sale!”

The takeover interrupted Senate debate on a routine measure allowing Calderón to travel to the United States for an April 21-22 summit of North American leaders in New Orleans.

The leftist lawmakers say Calderón's energy reforms would open Mexico's national oil company to private investment and would threaten the country's sovereignty.

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Mexico lawmakers vow to keep up protest in Congress until oil reform debated

By Jessica Bernstein-Wax

ASSOCIATED PRESS

12:21 p.m. April 11, 2008

MEXICO CITY – Leftist lawmakers who seized both chambers of Mexico's Congress said Friday they will not move until winning a national debate on an oil reform bill backed by President Felipe Calderón.

Legislators from the Democratic Revolution Party and two minor parties stormed the podiums of both the Senate and the lower house of Congress on Thursday to protest the bill, which they say would open the door to selling off parts of the state-run industry.

A small group of lawmakers spent the night there in blankets and sleeping bags and took turns guarding the podiums, which were draped in signs accusing Calderón of trying to privatize the industry. Mexico's oil reserves were nationalized in 1938.

“We're going to stay here as long as we need to,” Democratic Revolution Rep. Alejandro Sanchez said in a telephone interview Friday. He added that party members were bringing sandwiches and drinks to prepare for what could be a long encampment.