Passing the hat for donations may seem like an unlikely way to fund a government.But aides to former presidential candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Wednesday he will do just that, seeking contributions from ordinary Mexicans to support a parallel, "legitimate" administration he declared after losing the July 2 election.
López Obrador, who claims fraud cheated him of the presidency, has already named a Cabinet and plans to be "sworn in" to office on Monday, Revolution Day, in the capital´s main square.
BANK ACCOUNTS OPENED
According to López Obrador´s web site, the campaign has opened bank accounts where Mexicans can donate anywhere from 100 to 30,000 pesos (about US$9 to US$2,800). López Obrador has not said exactly what the money will be used for.
"We´re doing this because otherwise, we wouldn´t have the means to survive or get funds for the movement," said his spokesman, César Yañez. "We trust that people will donate, little by little."
Based in Mexico City, the parallel government will not try to collect taxes or make laws. Rather, it will focus on organizing supporters around the country and waging a resistance campaign to undermine President-elect Felipe Calderón during his six-year term that begins Dec. 1.
Neither López Obrador nor his Cabinet will be officially recognized under Mexican law.
