From The Washington Post:
Every six years, a Mexican president’s term comes to an end, and Mexicans turn their eyes, uneasily and even fearfully, toward the ritual of a new president’s selection and ascension to the “Eagle’s Throne.” Officially, this has always been decided by national election, even during the 70 years when the Party of the Institutionalized Revolution held power and the only “election” that mattered was the furtive process by which the outgoing president chose his successor. Even now, as President Vicente Fox concludes his term and candidates from three different parties have a legitimate chance to win the election in July, many Mexicans still believe that the real process is happening out of sight — “in the shadows,” as Carlos Fuentes writes, “where real power is wielded.”
More here.