On 1 July this year, Mexico elected a new President and a new Congress. Enrique Peña Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) will take up office on 1 December. In the past, the PRI had held the presidency for 71 years. This dominance had some disastrous consequences, particularly in the areas of corruption and internal security. But now the old “state party” is back and has a fresh young face at its helm. It remains to be seen to what extent Peña Nieto will be able to break down the fortifications of the old party structures.