Margarita Zavala, former first lady, running for president of Mexico

MEXICO CITY, June 16 (UPI) -- Former Mexico first lady Margarita Zavala announced she will run as a National Action Party (PAN) candidate in the 2018 presidential election.

Zavala, whose husband is former President Felipe Calderón, announced her intention to run via a video on her social media accounts. She said she wants to reach out to both PAN supporters and opponents, calling for an end to the "enormous gap" between politicians and people.

Calderón, who is also a member of the PAN party, was president of Mexico from 2006 until 2012.

The likelihood of her winning the PAN nomination is seen as difficult because of an apparent rift between her and the party. In January, she was not awarded a seat in Mexico's lower house by proportional representation, which depends on the results of the country's recent midterm elections.

Zavala may run as an independent candidate if she does not win the nomination. Mexico elected its first independent governor to the state of Nuevo León: former mayor and rancher Jaime "El Bronco" Rodríguez Calderón, known for his eccentricities.

Rodríguez Calderón appeals to a large demographic, particularly to young Mexicans, through his blunt speeches, sometimes featuring profanity, and by stating he's fought against drug gangs.

Rodríguez Calderón's win disturbs the foundation of Mexico's entrenched political system, where the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as PRI, has dominated Mexican politics for more than 71 years.

In a recent interview, Zavala assured her membership in the PAN party and urged changes.

"I hope PAN also enters a profound reflection and transformation in many processes," she said.