Mexico's former ruling party hammers Calderon in vote

[Judi Lynn]

Mexico's former ruling party hammers Calderon in vote
Sun Jul 3, 2011 10:48pm EDT
By Noe Torres

TOLUCA, Mexico (Reuters) - Mexico's main opposition party swept to victory in a key state election on Sunday, strengthening its bid to retake the presidency and handing a major defeat to President Felipe Calderon's conservatives.

Exit polls showed the PRI increased its share of the vote in the State of Mexico, the country's most populous, while Calderon's National Action Party (PAN) had its worst night in a generation in the region that rings the nation's capital.

Initial results suggested the PRI also strengthened its grip on two other states, adding luster to a successful day for the PRI's main presidential hopeful, Enrique Pena Nieto.

"This is an important victory for the PRI and for Pena Nieto," said Eurasia Group analyst Carlos Ramirez.

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