This year’s Mexican National Election will have a profound effect on American politics, more so than in the past because of the current border security situation. Here’s a quick rundown of the three main political parties (two of which are anchors of alliances) and their candidates:

Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD): Founded in 1989 in the wake of a stolen Presidential election the previous year, the PRD mainly consists of Communists and Socialists, with a few disgruntled PRI members thrown into the mix. The current candidate for the PRD is Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Motto: “Delivering is my strength.”
Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI): This left-of-center party held the Mexican Presidency for 76 years until the 2000 election. The current candidate for the PRI is Roberto Madrazo Pintado. Motto: “Moving Mexico so that things get done.”
National Action Party (PAN): Incumbent party. Considered right-of-center, similar in content to Christian Democratic parties in Europe. The current candidate for the PAN is Felipe Calderón. Motto: “So we can live Better.”

Seems that the PRI’s motto is a bit long-winded in the original Spanish. But I digress.
One main difference between Mexico’s presidential system and ours lies in the attribute that each holder of this particular office cannot run for re-election. There was a similar movement back in the 1970s to convert our Presidential term in office to this form, but it was shot down pretty quickly (but is still mentioned from time to time). In addition to the office of President, Mexico elects their national legislature at this time. So mark Sunday, July 2 on your calendars. It will indeed be interesting to watch what happens this year.