Mexico: Calderon Win, Obrador Sues

Are there penalty kicks in presidential elections? Perhaps there should be. With 100% of the ballots counted Felipe Calderon was declared victor by half of a percentage point ^[1]. Randy Paul, in a comment ^[2], observes that Mexico is one of the few Latin American countries which does not require a 50% majority to avoid a runoff election. Publius Pundit is ecstatic and has a typically thorough review of English-language reactions ^[3]. But don't think it's over yet – as Ana Maria Salazar ^[4] and Mexico Votes 2006 ^[5] both make clear, this presidential contest is headed to the courts. In fact, Salazar goes so far to write, “Mark my words.. We will not know who the new President is until August, possibly September. For now, there is a legal battle ahead and a media battle.”