New president vows to transform Mexico into a "power" (2)

Pena Nieto said it will be a priority of his government to fight crime and forge peace in Mexico, following the violence- filled term of outgoing President Felipe Calderon, whose war on drugs has led to the death of more than 60,000 people.

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.

To combat crime and impunity in a country where well over than 90 percent of crimes go unpunished, Pena Nieto said one of his top decisions was to instruct his new ministers to streamline the country's five different penal codes into one penal code that will be more effective and easier to apply.

"It is unacceptable that millions of Mexicans still suffer from hunger," said Pena Nieto, announcing his decision to instruct the Social Development Ministry to "launch a national crusade against hunger," involving all sectors of society, from religious organizations to volunteers.

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.

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