Xalapa is the capital of the gulf state of Veracruz, Mexico, where I am working as a Fulbright speaker specialist for six weeks this summer. The other day the national mid-term elections took place. These have particular relevance here, for only in the 2000 presidential elections, and for the first time in 70 years, the party in power lost to the opposition and president Vicente Fox of the PAN Party came to power.

After 70 years of continuous government by the PRI party, such a change was overwhelmingly welcome. But three years later, the PAN got only 30 percent of the popular vote, second to the 35 percent of the PRI and almost 20 percent for the PRD, the third major party. In addition, less than 50 percent of potential voters went to the polls. What was behind this, and why?

The PAN is a conservative party whose roots in the early 1940s came from business, Catholics and the educated, urban middle class. The PRI - the "official party," as it is widely known - consolidated the Mexican revolution of 1910, which ended sometime in the mid-1930s; handed out land to the peasants; nationalized the oil industry; and developed state-owned heavy industries, with ample patronage among poor rural and working masses.

Over the years,patronage and corruption made the PRI unpopular. In addition, the middle class widened and the state machinery became an impediment to economic development in the minds of many new small and middle-size entrepreneurs. The PAN became more popular and opened its ranks to this entrepreneurial class, including those with peasant or working-class origins, acquiring the critical mass that brought victory in 2000.

But Fox, who is a "New Panista" in the opinion of some of the old guard, had only mild support among members of his own party in Congress, and was not able to push through the major changes he had announced during his presidential campaign. In addition, the Chiapas peasant revolt continues to stagnate - Fox has not been able to fulfill his promise to put an end to this unpleasant conflict.

After three yearsof governance, there are at least three divergent opinions. One is that the PAN and Fox need more time and strength in Congress. This was the PAN message during this mid-term campaign. A large PAN majority in the Mexican Congress would provide the necessary support to carry on these changes.

The second opinion is that the PAN oversold itself and has outlived its usefulness. The desired change - ousting the PRI - has taken place, and now other parties and ideologies are called to take over the reins. On the left the PRD has risen in popularity. In this mid-term election, it almost doubled its representation in Congress, though it is still by far the smallest of the three big parties. The PRI also came out of this mid-term election as the largest vote-getter and the largest bloc of representatives in Congress. Some think the PRI has taken some measures to change its image and way of operating, and it still has the longest experience in governance of all the parties.

Finally, the last opinion, widely available, is that politicians have promised much more than they can deliver and have lost their credibility. This is evident in the large number of non-voters. And of all three views, this is the worst for Mexico.

Employment islacking here, as it is in many places, since the fall of the stock market in 2000 and 9/11. The war in Iraq has not raised the popularity of President Bush here, either. So as we continue our educational work in this beautiful provincial city of Xalapa, we look forward to seeing the Mexican republic strengthen its democracy, continue its transition to a more open form of government and improve the economic conditions of its citizens - all of which will strengthen relations with the United States. Jorge Luis Romeu of Syracuse is currently a Fulbright speaker specialist in Mexico.