How tough can Fox be?

摘要

Throwing his weight around is not something that Mexico's new president, Vicente Fox, has had to do much. Since taking over the country in December after 71 years of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), he has handled delicate situations, such as the budget talks and an electoral squabble in the state of Tabasco, with a mixture of quiet diplomacy and patience. It has worked well—up to now. Another electoral dispute, this time in the south-eastern peninsular state of Yucatan, is giving Mr Fox the first real test of his authority.