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When Vicente Fox became President of Mexico in 2000, it represented a milestone in the country’s history; after 72 years of Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) (Institutional Revolutionary Party) rule, an opposition candidate won the election and practically brought about a regime change.
During his six years in government, he notched up significant economic achievements and drove forward a comprehensive development plan for eradicating poverty and creating equal opportunities for all Mexicans.
Before becoming president, Fox had worked at Coca Cola, where he rose to the rank of CEO of the Latin American division and was the youngest chief executive in the company’s history.After leaving the world of business, he began his career in politics, which really took off when he was elected Governor of Guajanato (1991 – 1999).
He became president following an election campaign that lasted over two years, on a platform of change, and with one of the highest approval ratings in Mexico’s recent history. Once in power, he launched the Oportunidades, (Opportunities) program, Mexico’s first comprehensive social development plan, which he used as a weapon against poverty in the most isolated regions and communities in the country.
The values of generosity, commitment, equal opportunities, a strong attachment to his farming roots (he is the son of a farmer), and his passion for Mexico characterize his public and private life. He set out his political thinking and his vision for the country’s future in his autobiography Vicente Fox a Los Pinos, published in 2000. In 2007, after leaving office, he published a book about his journey to becoming head of state: La revolución de la esperanza, (Revolution of Hope), which has been translated into English.
Now, having retired from active politics, he lives on the farm bought by his grandfather over a century ago and works to promote training of leaders with social values through the Centro Fox foundation.
Vicente Fox’ Presidential Term
Vicente Fox began his term in 2000 amid a climate of hope. A member of the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) (National Action Party), he managed to oust the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) thanks to the coalition Alianza por el Cambio (Alliance For Change), made up of the PAN and the Partido Verde Ecologista de México (PVEM) (Ecological Green Party of Mexico). He received 42.5% of the vote in the election.
He implemented the Oportunidades program, which was widely praised by the World Bank, the International Development Bank and ECLAC and was recreated in over thirty countries. He pursued social policies such as providing scholarships for primary, high school, preschool and nursery school students, as well as measures offering economic support to disadvantaged families.
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