2018 Election Review: Canning Papers

Introduction

In Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador swept to power on 1 July with the biggest margin of victory by a Mexican presidential candidate for 36 years. At the third attempt, his brand of populist, left-wing nationalism was finally the answer to the question being posed by an electorate exasperated by political corruption and spiralling violence. Brazil’s presidential election was described in its early days as the country’s most uncertain in recent history; it was certainly dramatic. The public scorned the centre ground, resulting in a polarised Left-Right contest. The leftist favourite Lula was barred from running due to being in jail and was replaced at the 11th hour by Haddad; the ultimately-successful, right-wing Jair Bolsonaro was stabbed on the campaign trail.