Mexican President Vicente Fox is defending a congressional decision to strip Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of his immunity, clearing the way for his prosecution on criminal charges.
President Fox, in Rome for Pope John Paul II's funeral, said the vote gives the world an example of legality and obedience to the law and is a signal of the strength of Mexico's institutions.
Lawmakers in the lower house of Congress voted 360 to 127 Thursday against the mayor, hours after he announced he will run for president next year.
Mayor Lopez Obrador is accused of failing to obey a court order to stop construction of a road on private land. He denies wrongdoing.
If convicted, he could be sent to prison and barred from seeking the presidency.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
