Mexico president puts unity first to broker compromise in succession race

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during a press conference, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico June 5, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador this week intervened in the increasingly fractious race to succeed him, a move party insiders said was aimed at warding off potential division and protecting the commanding political power base he has built.

Under pressure for months from Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard to get contenders seeking the presidential nomination of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) to step down before campaigning, Lopez Obrador this week finally went along with the idea, according to three party sources familiar with the matter.