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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | July 2005 
Obrador Says He'll Eliminate Budget For Presidential Clothing
 Associated Press
Mexico City – Presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he would eliminate the budget for presidential clothing, if elected in one year.
His statement came a day after first lady Marta Sahagun de Fox defended her designer wardrobe [see below], which lawmakers had criticized as extravagant.
Sahagun said that, although Congress had set aside a budget for her to buy clothing for official events, she had used none of the money since 2003. From 2001 to 2003, Sahagun said she spent only 17.8 percent of her clothing budget.
Fox married Sahagun, who had served as his spokeswoman, in 2001.
Lopez Obrador also said Tuesday he would eliminate the pensions for former Mexican presidents, if elected.
The Mexico City mayor is planning to leave office on Friday to formally launch his presidential campaign. He leads all polls leading up to the 2006 presidential race.
Mexican First Lady Says No Unauthorized Public Funds Spent On Her Wardrobe
Associated Press
Mexico City – Mexican first lady Marta Sahagun de Fox angrily defended her wardrobe budget, saying she hadn't used any public money to buy clothes since 2003.
Answering criticism by lawmakers, Sahagun released details of her clothing budget, saying that Congress had allocated 1,520,312 pesos ($143,000) for her wardrobe budget in 2004 and 2005. But she said she hasn't spent any of that money.
Of the 1,778,036 peso ($168,000) wardrobe budget she was allocated from 2001-2003, she only spent 17.8 percent, she said.
"There have been doubts, false declarations, accusations without evidence and great confusion," she said.
She pledged to donate part of her wardrobe to charities, including a Mexican association that helps children with cancer.
The first lady has come under intense criticism, with some lawmakers accusing her of using public money for her private charity. Lawmakers are also investigating reports that Sahagun's sons amassed fortunes by taking advantage of government financing and importing contraband goods from China.
The first lady and her family have denied any wrongdoing.
Sahagun's three sons are from a previous marriage. She and President Vicente Fox were married in 2001 and have no children together. |
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