Feb 21 • 19:47 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

Electoral Reform: Draft Shapes Political Parties to Request Popular Consultations

The draft of the electoral reform in Mexico suggests allowing political parties to call for popular consultations, a significant shift from current legislation.

The draft of the electoral reform, set to be presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum on February 24 to Congress, includes significant changes regarding popular consultations, which gained prominence during Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration. One of the main proposals allows political parties to convene popular consultations, expanding the current scope that limits this ability to the President, the legislative chambers, and 2% of registered voters as per Article 35, section VIII of the Constitution.

In addition to this major change, the initiative aims to amend Articles 115 and 116 of the Constitution, ensuring that citizens at both municipal and state levels can request popular consultations. This reflects a growing demand for greater political participation and responsiveness from the authorities, fostering a more democratic atmosphere within the political landscape of Mexico. The proposed amendments would thereby augment the political agency of citizens by providing them with mechanisms to directly engage in legislative and governance processes.

As the reform moves forward, it raises important questions regarding the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, as well as the implications for political dynamics in Mexico. If these changes are enacted, they could lead to a more participatory democracy and possibly reshape the relationship between political parties and the electorate, altering how citizens interact with their leaders and advocate for their interests.

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