News Summary for April 26th, 2008

++ The Broad Progressive Front ended its two-week blockade of the Congress after reaching an agreement with other parties to carry out a debate on energy reform that will last 71 days, from May 13th to July 22nd.

++ Convergencia senator Dante Delgado told Andrés Manuel López Obrador about the end of the blockade. López Obrador accepted the move although he said the time period for the debate was still insufficient.

++ President Felipe Calderón said that if energy reform is approved it will help Mexican farming since refinery and the petrochemical industry will be revitalized.

++ Interior Secretary Juan Camilo Mouriño hailed the agreement on the debate on energy reform and said he was confident all parties would take part.

++ State governors agreed to restructure the National Governor’s conference so that it will be influential in national affairs.

++ Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard took part for the first time in the National Governor’s Conference… He said that just like other state leaders he is concerned about the 2009 spending budget bill.

++ Speaking in defense of the Federal District abortion law, the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Víctor Hugo Círigo ruled out full legal rights for the unborn in the very early stages of conception.

++ Mexico City Chief of Police Joel Ortega said there is information on two men linked to the explosion on Chapultepec Avenue that occurred on February 15th. He gave no names but said the information could lead to arrests.