On December 1, 2012, Mexico got a new president; Enrique Peña Nieto was sworn in, bringing the PRI [1] –the party that ruled the country for more 70 years– back to power after 12 years of the PAN [2] party holding the presidency.
After several hours sharing mixed feelings and following the protests [3] [es] against the new president, netizens began using the hashtag #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] [es] (If I were president) to share their own views about the most pressing issues affecting the country.
Juls Caesars (@JulsCaesars [5]) [es], for example, expressed his concern about poverty in Mexico:
@JulsCaesars [6] :#SiYoFueraPresidente [4] en lugar de hacer una “guerra contra el Narcotrafico”, encabezaría una Guerra contra la Pobreza.
@JulsCaesars [6]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] (If I were president) instead of having a “War on Drugs” I would lead a “War against Poverty”
Adriana Llabres (@Adrillabres [7]) [es] said that her priority as president would be the ethical treatment of animals:
@Adrillabres [8]: #siyofuerapresidente [9] Pondría leyes muy severas a aquellos que maltratan a los animales. Tortura y carcel por abusivos.
@Adrillabres [8]: #siyofuerapresidente [9] (If I were president) I would implement very severe laws against those who mistreat animals. Torture and jail for them.
Meanwhile, L. Fernando Rdz. (@BlackNahual [11]) [es] challenged the president's closeness to the Mexican people:
@BlackNahual [12]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] legitimo, festejaría con el pueblo.
@BlackNahual [12]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] (If I were president) a legitimate one, I would celebrate with the people
And Casablanca (@aalms [13]) [es] listed two important issues:
@aalms [14]: #siyofuerapresidente [9] EDUCACION y LIBERTAD DE EXPRESION para TODOS
@aalms [14]: #siyofuerapresidente [9] (If I were president) EDUCATION and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION for EVERYONE
Mafer Marin (@MaferMarin [15]) [es] referred to the few employment opportunities available for new University graduates:
@MaferMarin [15]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] los egresados de universidad tendrían más oportunidades de trabajo en sus áreas y no se exigiría “experiencia”.
@MaferMarin [15]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] (If I were president) college graduates would have more job opportunities in their areas and “experience” would not be required.
Maribel Rodriguez (@candyro8819 [16]) [es] criticized the corrupt governments that don't keep their promises:
@candyro8819 [16]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] no haría promesas al aire … ni mentiria por convivir … solo verdad y hechos…
@candyro8819 [16]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] (If I were president) I would not make fake promises…or lie just to coexist…only the truth and facts…
Alex Kuzado (@pormistuits [17]) [es] joked about the national beverage, Tequila, and San Lázaro, where the Chamber of Deputies is located and where Enrique Peña Nieto was sworn in as president:
@pormistuits [17]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] tequilas gratis en San Lázaro
@pormistuits [17]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] (If I were president) free tequilas in San Lázaro
Finally, Teacher R Valdes (@ricky_black [18]) [es] said the best way to govern is not with words but with actions:
@ricky_black [19]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] no me quejaria tanto de lo que hacen los demas, habria que dar un buen ejemplo de como hacer las cosas
@ricky_black [19]: #SiYoFueraPresidente [4] (If I were president) I would not complain so much about what others are doing, I would set a good example of how to do things
Mexicans also used the hashtags #CambioDeGobierno2012 [20] (change in government 2012), #MéxicoNoTienePresidente [21] (Mexico doesn't have a president), #transición2012 [22] (transition 2012), and #EPN [23] (for Enrique Peña Nieto's initials) to share reports and express their thoughts throughout the day.