In his first address to the nation as president, Mexico's Enrique Pena Nieto said Saturday his government will transform Mexico into the power it should be.

New president vows to transform Mexico into a "power"

Pena Nieto said it will be a priority of his government to fight crime and forge peace in Mexico. The new head of state also announced more than 10 "decisions" that will serve to guide policymakers in his administration to tackle such issues as crime, education reform, welfare programs for the elderly and single mothers, and infrastructure building to drive the economy. A universal pension program for those over 70 and an insurance plan aimed at protecting the children of Mexico's large number of single mothers' were two of the welfare programs he highlighted in his speech. A major infrastructure building program to be headed by the Transportation and Communications Ministry calls for the construction of several rail lines, including an electric train connecting the capital with Mexico's second-largest city Guadalajara. Pena Nieto also announced his intention to introduce major education reform, crucial in a country where teaching posts are often inherited, by establishing tests and standards for teachers, and launching a nationwide census of schools, students and teachers.