Mexico's presidential front-runner vows more welfare, formalises bid

Mexican presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), arrives to takes his registration as a pre-candidate for MORENA for the July 2018 presidential election, in Mexico City, Mexico December 12, 2017. REUTERS/Henry Romero

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican front-runner for next year's election, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, formalised his bid for the presidency on Tuesday and promised his government would spend on the young, elderly and farmers.

Left-winger Lopez Obrador, who had a 12-point lead in one recent poll, wants to significantly change Mexico's approach to the economy, security and education, vowing more support for the poorest but without new taxes or higher debt levels.