Some Mexican Lawmakers Want to Halt Energy Debate During World Cup Laurence Iliff - WSJ
go to original May 31, 2014

Mexico World Cup squad in selfie with coach Miguel Herrera (front right) and President Enrique Pena Nieto (center) (Reuters)

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's leftist lawmakers are out to stop what they call a government conspiracy to make them debate a landmark energy bill during the upcoming soccer World Cup.

Legislators from two leftist parties want to postpone until after the monthlong soccer tournament any discussion of the implementing legislation to open Mexico's oil-and-gas market to private companies.

While some lawmakers admit they want to watch the games, they say they aren't being lazy but are instead trying to defend the people's interest by making sure the debate doesn't take place when the public is distracted by the fate of the national team.

"The government will use the World Cup to score a goal against us on energy matters," said Miguel Barbosa, the leader in the Senate for the Party of the Democratic Revolution, or PRD.

The PRD and the smaller Workers Party want the debate to wait until a new soccer champion has been crowned so Mexicans can focus on the details of energy laws that would open up the oil industry to private firms for the first time in 76 years.

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