Mexican lawmakers camp out to protest oil bill

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) — Leftist lawmakers who seized both chambers of Mexico’s Congress said Friday they will not move until winning a national debate on an oil overhaul bill backed by President Felipe Calderon.

Legislators from the Democratic Revolution Party and two minor parties stormed the podiums of both the Senate and the lower house of Congress on Thursday to protest the bill, which they say would open the door to selling off parts of the state-run industry.


A small group of lawmakers spent the night there in blankets and sleeping bags and took turns guarding the podiums, which were draped in signs accusing Calderon of trying to privatize the industry. Mexico’s oil reserves were nationalized in 1938.

“We’re going to stay here as long as we need to,” Democratic Revolution Rep. Alejandra Sanchez said in a telephone interview Friday. She added that party members were bringing sandwiches and drinks to prepare for what could be a long encampment.

AP