ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed a “deep and radical” change in Mexico as he assumed the country’s presidency Saturday, five months after winning a landslide election victory.

The leader, widely known by his initials as “AMLO,” took the oath of office and donned the presidential sash before Congress — where the coalition led by the upstart party he founded four years ago, Morena, now has strong majorities in both houses.

Ending 89 years of government by the same two parties, Lopez Obrador surged to victory in the July 1 elections promising a new approach to issues fueling widespread outrage: crime, poverty and corruption.

But not everyone is persuaded. Critics say the sharp-tongued, silver-haired leader has a radical and authoritarian streak. And despite his promises of business-friendly policies, Mexican stocks and the peso have plunged in recent weeks. That did not stop Lopez Obrador, 65, from doubling down on his promise of a sweeping “transformation” as he started his six-year term.

“It might seem pretentious or exaggerated to say it, but today is not just the start of a new government. It is the start of a political regime change,” he said.

“We will carry out a peaceful and orderly but also deep and radical transformation.”

Vowing to lead his anti-corruption, pro-austerity drive by example, he has forsworn the presidential residence, jet and security detail, and cut his own salary by 60 percent.

Lopez Obrador has caused jitters over the future of Latin America’s second-largest economy with decisions such as the one to cancel a new US$13 billion airport for Mexico City that was already one-third complete.

(SD-Agencies)