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Fracas mars Mexico inauguration Fracas mars Mexico inauguration
(about 3 hours later)
Felipe Calderon has been sworn in as Mexico's president to jeers, after brawls in Congress between lawmakers, divided by the nation's tight election.Felipe Calderon has been sworn in as Mexico's president to jeers, after brawls in Congress between lawmakers, divided by the nation's tight election.
Just an hour before the ceremony, deputies seized the speaker's platform and blocked the doors of the chamber.Just an hour before the ceremony, deputies seized the speaker's platform and blocked the doors of the chamber.
Members of the left-wing Democratic Revolution Party say Mr Calderon, a conservative, won July's poll by fraud.Members of the left-wing Democratic Revolution Party say Mr Calderon, a conservative, won July's poll by fraud.
The row followed an unusual midnight ceremony in which the outgoing president handed power to Mr Calderon.The row followed an unusual midnight ceremony in which the outgoing president handed power to Mr Calderon.
Opposition deputies argued Mr Calderon could not become president without taking the oath of office - as outlined in the constitution - and tried to derail Friday's official inauguration.Opposition deputies argued Mr Calderon could not become president without taking the oath of office - as outlined in the constitution - and tried to derail Friday's official inauguration.
Mr Calderon bypassed the barricaded doors and, surrounded by his supporters and flanked by outgoing President Vicente Fox, he rushed through the presidential oath.Mr Calderon bypassed the barricaded doors and, surrounded by his supporters and flanked by outgoing President Vicente Fox, he rushed through the presidential oath.
The national anthem was then played over the din of insults made by dozens of opposing lawmakers, as the new president was ushered out of the chamber. The national anthem was then played over the din of insults made by dozens of opposing lawmakers.
"It's good action," said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who attended the ceremony along with former US President George Bush Sr and several sitting presidents.
Parallel governmentParallel government
In his inauguration speech Mr Calderon said: "I will always be willing for dialogue, but I won't wait for dialogue before starting work."
Left-wing deputies accuse the conservatives of winning by fraudAfter the inauguration opposition leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led tens of thousands of supporters through the centre of Mexico City and vowed to "defend democracy in our country".
In the six months since the election, Mexico has witnessed a succession of protests against Mr Calderon over claims the poll was rigged - something he and the courts have rejected.In the six months since the election, Mexico has witnessed a succession of protests against Mr Calderon over claims the poll was rigged - something he and the courts have rejected.
Mr Calderon may have several extremely difficult years ahead Opposition candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lost the run-off by half a percentage point and last week launched a "parallel government" in a mock swearing-in ceremony. Mr Lopez Obrador lost the run-off by half a percentage point and last week launched a "parallel government" in a mock swearing-in ceremony.
BBC Americas Editor Will Grant says Mr Lopez Obrador appears intent on upsetting Mr Calderon's presidency at every turn.BBC Americas Editor Will Grant says Mr Lopez Obrador appears intent on upsetting Mr Calderon's presidency at every turn.
Mr Lopez Obrador has a strong support base, particularly in Mexico City where he was mayor for several years. His party remains in power there and he won a strong showing in the national Congress.Mr Lopez Obrador has a strong support base, particularly in Mexico City where he was mayor for several years. His party remains in power there and he won a strong showing in the national Congress.
Mr Calderon has tried to focus on the social and economic challenges but, no matter how worthwhile his agenda, if the inauguration was anything to go by, he may be facing a difficult future, our correspondent says.Mr Calderon has tried to focus on the social and economic challenges but, no matter how worthwhile his agenda, if the inauguration was anything to go by, he may be facing a difficult future, our correspondent says.