Mauricio Funes is Inaugurated President of El Salvador: June 1st, 2009

Monday morning, amidst shouts of “Que viva Funes,” “El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido” and “Sí Se Pudo,” Mauricio Funes Cartagena was inaugurated President of El Salvador in the International Fair and Conventions Center.

It was a day full of first. As President Funes himself pointed out, it was the first time in Salvadoran history that an ARENA President turned over the presidential sash to an FMLN President Elect. Those watching said they had never seen such an excited or spirited inauguration.

In the presence of the members of the Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Court, the outgoing Executive Branch, his incoming cabinet, representatives from allied countries, and members of the 889 national and international press, President Funes was sworn into office. Among the international representation were the presidents from: Chile, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama; as well as representatives from governments of Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Bolivia, among others. Also, present was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Notably absent were Presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Evo Morales of Bolivia. While both had originally confirmed their presence, Chavez cited security concerns for missing the event.

Following the formal inauguration, the FMLN organized a celebration in the Cuscatlán Stadium. There were reportedly over 60,000 people in attendance, and the Diario CoLatino reported that people began to line up at 3:00 a.m. to secure entrance to the stadium. Because the stadium was at capacity, many supporters had to observe the activities from outside on screens set up on the grass. The event began in the morning and finished with a concert by Los Guaraguao at 9:00 p.m.

Sister Cities would like to congratulate CRIPDES and the organized communities in this exciting and historical time. We hope that our recent electoral successes in both El Salvador and the U.S. will give us the energy to continue our work in the struggle for justice.

Excerpts from Mauricio Funes’s Inauguration Speech
June 1, 2009

The responsibility for [the economic situation of El Salvador] is not the people’s, it falls on the elite leadership that was in power until today.

How is it that millions of immigrant compatriots, working hard outside of the country, are able to achieve their goals and obtain a better life? What does this tell us? It’s very simple: the problem isn’t in our population, or in our people; but in the mentality of the governments and leaders that have led the country. The human capital of the country is available, what’s missing is a sensible and patriotic government that believes in it. I want to be president of this government.

Obama, I said, showed that it is possible to reinvent hope. And Lula, I said, showed that it’s possible to make a popular democratic government with a strong economy and a fair distribution of wealth. One of the most beautiful things of politics is it’s capacity for renovation.

Funes Promises Social and Economic Reconstruction
Excerpts from article in the Diario CoLatino

Creating employment, investing in social services and ensuring security will be priorities of the first government of the Left in El Salvador, headed by Mauricio Funes. According to the latest pole, Funes has an 80% approval rating from the Salvadoran population in governing the country for the next five years.

The journalist, who ran the television program “The Interview” for more than 12 years, received the presidential sash from the hands of the President of the Legislative Assembly.

In the first 100 days, the first leftist government plans to execute a Economic Anti-Crisis Plan, that will begin with $475 million dollars. At the same time, Funes announced the creation of the State Productivity Bank, which will give credits to the sectors of society that until now, were not protected.

In the official ceremony on June 1^st, Funes emphasized that he would work to build a government of “national unity.” This model of governing sees social inclusion, the expansion of basic services and the modernization of institutions at its core.

Funes also said that his government and cabinet will have the responsibility to “avoid the errors of the past, we will not do what other governments did badly: governing for the benefit of a few people, being part of organized crime and permitting corruption.”

“The challenges of the next five years will be worth it for a decade” the president said at the event. He also said that the former archbishop of San Salvador, Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, was his guide.

The president elect finished his speech with the message of creating a country that is “young, joyous and hopeful.”

Plans of the New Government:
*Create 100,000 jobs
*Improve basic infrastructure
*Build 25,000 houses
*Open diplomatic ties with Cuba
*Education Grants
*Food program for children between 0 and 3 years old
*Food program in the schools
*Focusing subsidies
*Creating a state bank
*A program of reconstruction of moral values and ethics
*Nationalization of subsidies
*Access to health in hospital network.