New Mexico President takes 60% pay cut

Mexico's next president Andres Obrador is leading his country's austerity drive. His salary will be less than half of the current president's. He wants to improve Mexico's economy. He said: "What we want is for the budget to reach everybody." Mr Obrador's salary will be just 40 per cent of that of Mexico's president, Enrique Peña Nieto. Obrador also said no public official would earn more than him. His supporters greatly welcomed his new measures.

Mr Obrador wanted to cut his salary more. He thought a bigger cut would stop people joining his government. Many are coming from the private sector. Obrador said he would keep his campaign promise to cut the benefits that high-level government officials get. He will cut back on their chauffeurs, bodyguards and health insurance. He will also turn the official presidential residence into a cultural center and stop pension payments to former presidents.