Mexico’s López Obrador sworn in as first leftist president in decades, by the BBC.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador – Mexico’s first leftist president in seven decades – has been sworn in at a ceremony in the country’s parliament.

The former Mexico City mayor pledged on Saturday to end corruption and impunity to transform the nation on behalf of the poor and marginalised.

The 65-year-old, popularly known by his initials Amlo, won a landslide victory in July – his third presidential bid.

The political veteran begins his six-year term with approval ratings of 56%.

His predecessor Enrique Peña Nieto leaves office with only 24% – his administration was plagued with corruption scandals and murder rates reaching record-high levels. …

British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who Mr López Obrador considers a close friend, was also present.

Reader Bob with some observations on Corbyn:

Corbyn is neck and neck in the polls here with the Tories. Somehow I don’t think there will be an early general election however rough the Tory infighting over Brexit becomes.

May has challenged Corbyn to a TV debate over Brexit and despite her precarious position it seems her challenge has really put the cat amongst the pigeons as Corbyn now has to be open on what is Labour’s policy towards Brexit. It’s been unclear for two years and he’s rather nervous about coming clean.

hat-tip Philip Barton, Bob