Mexico's Fox counts down days to inauguration

Fox walks his horse, Dos de Julio, which translates to "July 2" -- both election day and Fox's birthday -- while at his ranch in San Cristobal in the Mexican state of Guanajuato

In this story: Seeking 'crusade for peace' Private-sector experience RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

RANCHO SAN CRISTOBAL, Mexico -- Days before taking office as president of Mexico, Vicente Fox is intent on revolutionizing not only the relationship between the government and the people, but also the system of government itself.

Fox will be sworn in on December 1. In the meantime, he's trying to project a style different from previous Mexican leaders, taking time this week to pose for pictures with his favorite horse in the family stables or to sing with mariachis for a Mexican TV program.

The appearances help feed the enormous public appetite for information about the president-elect. The message? Fox is more open, more in touch with the people.

GALLERY Vicente Fox prepares for his inaguration

On Monday, Fox unveiled a plan to restructure the public security forces, naming former Mexico City police chief Alejandro Gertz Manero as head of public security. Gertz was expected to achieve ministerial rank once Congress approves the proposed establishment of a Public Security Ministry.

Gertz made headlines battling corrupt police chiefs in the capital. As the nation's security chief, he can be expected to cause even more of a stir.

Seeking 'crusade for peace'

Some of Fox's initial goals include reducing the crime rate by 10 percent, corruption by 25 percent, and opening up access to small business loans to thousands of entrepreneurs. He also hopes to use the strong economy to build more wealth.

"We will see, for the first time in 18 years, a real recuperation in the value of salaries," Fox told CNN. "They will be increased more than inflation, so ... Mexican families will have more purchasing power."

He also wants a "crusade for peace in Chiapas," the impoverished southern state heavily populated by indigenous people that was the site of the Zapatista rebellion in 1994.

"No doubt, (the first thing will be to address) the issues the people themselves told us are the most important -- jobs, security and education," said Fox spokeswoman Martha Sahagun.

Private-sector experience

Fox, of the conservative National Action Party, won the July 2 general election, ending a 71 year lock that the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, had on the nation's highest office.

His new Cabinet will be dominated by people with experience in the private sector. Taking lessons learned as president of Coca-Cola's Latin American operations and as a rancher, Fox says he will apply business-based quality standards to the bureaucracy.

"I am sure December 1st will be a day of joy, a day of happiness, a day of hope, a day of faith, and that, from there on, we Mexicans will be working together, united for the purpose of making Mexico a great nation," he said.

CNN Mexico City Bureau Chief Harris Whitbeck and Reuters contributed to this report.

Mexican president-elect Fox's neighbors welcome his government, dubious about some economic proposals
August 24, 2000

Presidency of the Republic of Mexico

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