Mexico mayor stands down for poll

Mexico City's leftist mayor has announced he will stand down to concentrate on his campaign for next year's presidential elections. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told journalists he would continue to govern the city until 31 July. The announcement comes days after the government decided to drop plans to prosecute Mr Lopez Obrador for contempt of court during a land dispute. The case sparked a political crisis because the mayor is ahead in polls. Mr Lopez Obrador had described the planned prosecution as a plot to prevent him from running. His current term as mayor would have run until December 2006.

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