Despite President’s Promises, Mexicans Unsure of Their Economic Future

Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto marked the half-point of his 6-year term this week with an address in which he highlighted his ongoing plan to boost his country’s economy dramatically, International Business Times (IBT) reported. Meanwhile, recent polls indicate that many Mexicans have lost their confidence in the future.

According to a survey released by the local polling firm Parametría Tuesday, 63 percent of Mexicans said Peña Nieto achieved less than what was expected from him during his first three years as a president, El Daily Post digital news website reveals. In the same poll, 57 percent of respondents said the national economy somewhat worsened last year and 39 percent showed concern it will worsen even more next year. The overall approval of the president’s performance is forty one percent, according to the survey.

“These percentages can be explained by the issues of security, corruption and scarce economic growth,” Parametría wrote.

The global decline in crude oil prices made it more difficult for the Mexican government to keep up with the economy’s tempo. Widespread corruption and violence make the country less attractive not only for its citizens, but for foreign investors as well.

“If other reforms create a regulatory framework attractive for foreign and domestic investors alike, but there is no confidence the law will be applied as written, they won’t be worth much,” Christopher Wilson, deputy director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a think tank based in Washington, D.C, was quoted as saying by IBT.