Could it be? A change in Fox's strategy towards Congress could prove fruitful. (Politics).

Before, during and after the President Vicente Fox's September 1 address to the nation, the executive has shown signs of having modified its political strategy for promoting structural reforms in Congress. After almost two years in office and a tough learning process, Fox appears to be weaving a political strategy that is more suitable for the adverse scenario that currently surrounds him.

Until now, we've seen an executive that is weak in Congress and a legislature that lacks the tools and incentives it needs in order to legislate and cooperate with the executive. In August, this column identified the administration's "obsession for consensus," as the reason for the failure of its strategy to promote structural reforms in Congress. Indeed, until recently, the administration has seemed bent on pleasing all sides of the political spectrum--a highly counterproductive approach to a legislature in which no single party holds a majority.

NEW APPROACH

Fox told Congress as he finished his speech, "It is time to strengthen politics ... to reach agreements and translate them into reforms, through the construction of majorities in Congress."

Oddly enough, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) immediately took up this message of change. PRI Deputy Beatriz Paredes, who is also leader of the Chamber of Deputies, said compromise is one of the essential elements of politics.

Are these announced political approaches from both sides a coincidence or the result of an agreement between the main political actors who have agreed that this is the only way of not frustrating the process of political change? It is probably still too early to answer that question. However, both before and after the presidential address, signs abound that strengthen the possibility that, as Fox said, such agreements could mean reforms in Congress.

THE SIGNS

Weeks before the presidential address, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel spoke with local media about the virtues of minority parties reaching agreements, which he described as a regular practice for democracies.

Also during those days, Fox made his own move: He approached the most pragmatic faction of the PRI. At the signing of the Social Commitment for Quality in Education, Elba Esther Gordillo, secretary general of the PRI and the former leader of the nation's teachers' union, was seen as the go-between with Fox's government.

Also at that time, Gordillo told a national daily that she had suggested to PRI President Roberto Madrazo the possibility of "agreeing to a co-government with Fox, in order to guarantee the nation's stability and governability."

Furthermore, after the presidential address, Foreign Relations Secretary Jorge Castaneda chose to re-enforce the new strategy.

"I believe and have hope that things will effectively begin to move along, as I believe that an important part of the PRI has that hope, which at this time is indispensable," said Castaneda.

Meanwhile, on his way to the Johannesburg Summit, Fox stressed that "seeking political majorities" is the priority.

THE CHALLENGE

All these signs point to much improved prospects for future structural reforms for Fox's administration. The ball is now on the side of the political parties and their factions in Congress that are most inclined to dialogue and negotiation within each party. As a result, one can expect confrontation and divisions within parties, between the hard-liners and the more flexible groups.

In this sense, consensus is of the utmost importance for reforms to be achieved. This would not only strengthen the executive, but also the more moderate political factions, while offsetting the influence of more radical and highly politicized groups.

Joel Estudillo Rendon is a member of the board of the Mexican Institute for Political Studies.