海角大神

Mexico may be fielding its first female candidate from a major party for president, a milestone for women in politics here, but there is just as much buzz for female candidates at the local level.

In the conservative city of Guadalajara, one candidate even opted to go topless to get聽attention for her bid to congress.聽Even though she's been criticized for objectifying women, she sees it differently. 鈥淲e had to do something that would have an impact,鈥� says Natalia Ju谩rez of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), as campaigning wrapped up before Sunday's race. Mexicans will vote this weekend for a new president, governors in a handful of states, and a whole new congress.

Ms. Ju谩rez raised eyebrows recently when she disseminated provocative photos during her campaign. The first, a billboard image of the candidate and six other women nude from the waist up, their left hands covering breasts, brought widespread attention. Similarly controversial images followed.

For some women it showed she would be an honest politician, with nothing to hide. But not all of the reaction was positive. Critics from around the world accused her of objectifying women for political gain. But Ju谩rez, a philosophy professor at the University of Guadalajara, shrugs off criticism. Her intention was to fight prejudices and 鈥渉elp demystify the feminine body,鈥� she says.

She acknowledges that disrobing as a campaign tactic is a radical notion for some, but it鈥檚 not the only unconventional proposition Ju谩rez advocates. She also supports the legalization of drugs, particularly marijuana, as a way to combat the country鈥檚 spiraling drug violence. And she believes it鈥檚 time the country focused more attention on the rights of women and gays.

On Wednesday, the last day of campaigning in Mexico, Ju谩rez shook hands with dozens of vendors at a bustling market in the heart of the city. But she spoke little of the more controversial aspects of her campaign. Instead, she distributed yellow backpacks with her party鈥檚 logo and took shots at the more powerful political parties, promising to work for progress in her diverse district.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time for change,鈥� she told Sandra Flores Mendoza, who was selling a variety of fresh produce at the market.

Ms. Flores, who clutched a campaign leaflet of Ju谩rez鈥檚 nude photo in her hands, says she plans to vote for the professor.

鈥淗er photo says a lot about her,鈥� says the vendor. 鈥淚t says she is bold and uninhibited; that can serve her well in Congress. I think she鈥檚 a strong candidate who has nothing to hide.鈥�

After chatting with Ju谩rez nearby, vendor Pedro Mejia Rodriguez says he likes what he hears. But he views her use of nudity to try to win votes as immoral.

鈥淧eople's actions, their work, should speak for themselves," he says. "Is the next step to get naked in Congress?鈥�

Not a chance, Ju谩rez says.