Alejandro Encinas is the former Mayor of Mexico City. He is a political leftist who has openly opposed current President Felipe Calderon's administration. In 2008, Encinas he campaigned to become the leader of the leftist Party of Democratic Revolution. Though some sources claimed that Encinas had won,Prensa Latina New Mexican Opp Party President Chosen (March 17, 2008) the results of the election have been hotly disputed. An official winner has yet to be declared.

Encinas is linked to former presidential candidate Lopez Obrador, who ran opposite to President Calderon. Consequently, Encinas is openly critical of President Calderon whose small margin of victory leads opponents to doubt the legitimacy of the electoral results.LA Times Blogs: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2008/03/during-mexicos.html La Plaza - For Mexico's left, an awkward reprise] (March 19, 2008)

If Encinas leads the PRD, it is expected that he would deepen existing political tensions regarding Calderon's election and current energy policies.Seattle Times: Leftist leader gains in Mexico (March 18, 2008) It would also increase the likelihood that Obrador would run for president again in 2012.Reuters: Mexico leftists yet to declare new party leader (March 23, 2008)

• Wikipedia (Spanish): Alejandro Encinas Rodriguez (Translated) Page translated from Spanish
• Wikipedia: Alejandro Encinas Rodríguez
• Google News: Alejandro Encinas
• Reuters: Mexico Leftists yet to Declare New Party Leader (March 23, 2008)
  • "Alejandro Encinas, who could steer Mexico's No. 2 political party on a more radical path, declared victory last week with a small lead in preliminary results. But vote counting since then points to a stronger finish for moderate Jesus Ortega."
• Seattle Time: Leftist Leader Gains in Mexico (March 18, 2008)
• Prensa Latina: New Mexican Opp Party President Chosen (March 17, 2008)