Court declares Calderon winner

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MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's highest electoral court yesterday unanimously confirmed Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party (PAN) as the nation's president-elect, a decision spurned by supporters of the losing candidate, leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who plan a nationwide campaign to protest the results.

The decision by the Federal Electoral Tribunal rejected charges of systematic fraud and awarded Mr. Calderon the presidency by 233,831 votes out of 41.6 million cast in the July 2 election -- a margin of 0.56 of a percentage point.

The verdict by the court, which ruled on the overall fairness of the election, cannot be appealed. Neither candidate attended the court session, which was nationally televised.

"There are no perfect elections," Judge Alfonsina Berta Navarro Hidalgo said in announcing the decision.

The White House issued a statement, congratulating the people of Mexico on the certification of a "free and fair electoral process."

"We congratulate Felipe Calderon on his victory and look forward to working with him and his team," according to the statement. The United States expects its relationship with Mexico to continue to be mutually beneficial, the White House said.

"This is what was expected," said political analyst Daniel Lund. "It clears the air for everyone to continue what they were planning to do."

Mr. Calderon faces the task of winning over millions of Mexicans angry that President Vicente Fox, who is from the same party as Mr. Calderon, didn't make good on promises of sweeping change.

They also are angry that Mr. Fox launched an ad campaign against Mr. Lopez Obrador.

Mr. Calderon also faces a showdown with thousands who say they will stop at nothing to undermine his presidency.