By Eliane Portillo

The new President of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, demanded that President Felipe Calderón abide by the law and not use security as an excuse to undermine the 2012 presidential election or the presidential candidates.

After being elected unanimously by the PRI’s National Political Council as the substitute PRI president, as he will complete Humberto Moreira’s term until 2015, Coldwell said that nobody must doubt the PRI’s position regarding the battle against organized crime. Regarding Calderón’s statement that organized crime had interfered in the state elections in Michoacán, Coldwell said that the President should be unbiased and try not to debase the upcoming presidential election.

The PRI demands that the President change his attitude and respect the law,Coldwell said, supported by the lawmakers, governors and advisors that attended the event.

He said that it is the PRI’s turn. He added that, just as the PRI was crucial in the creation of the nation’s institutions and development over the past 100 years, the party is looking to the future to help Mexico face the economic crisis.

Coldwell noted that this will be achieved with Enrique Peña Nieto, the PRI’s presidential candidate, as he represents, for the first time in many years, a strong candidate with recognition amongst voters.

The Governor of the State of Mexico, Eruviel Ávila; the Governor of Chihuahua, César Duarte; the Governor of Durango, Jorge Herrera; the Governor of Campeche, Fernando Ortega and the Governor of Hidalgo, also attended the event.