Introduction
The pursuit of absolute power among politicians, with rare exceptions of wisdom, inherently carries the risk of losing touch with reality and engaging in foolish actions that harm those very politicians. In the absence of a supreme court to serve as a check on power, Mexico’s legislative and executive branches have indulged in numerous blunders and illegal acts, leaving them unaccountable.
Historically, the PRI and its members respected legal forms and maintained legality, ensuring that approved or exercised actions were carried out under the protective shield of properly crafted laws, fostering genuine institutions that citizens could take pride in.
Congressional Extraordinary Session: A Lack of Structure and Transparency
The congress decided to hold an extraordinary session, which should have adhered to a clear agenda outlined at the onset and focused exclusively on that agenda. The process typically involves submitting initiatives, assigning them to committees for deliberation, and ensuring legislators are aware of the bills they are debating.
Established rules for lawmaking are not arbitrary; they are based on years of experience in Mexico and globally. These guidelines ensure that legislation results from reasoned debates, negotiated alliances, and well-considered rejections. The constitution, laws, and each chamber’s regulations clearly define the process, including the number of speakers allowed for or against a proposal, deadlines for submitting initiatives, and timeframes for delivering committee reports to fellow lawmakers.
The Extraordinary Session’s Shortcomings
During this extraordinary session, the agenda was not defined. Throughout the week, executive proposals arrived, and initiatives were presented to which legislators had limited or no prior knowledge. This lack of structure and transparency is a departure from established norms, resembling a haphazard approach.
Questions and Concerns
- Why the Rush? Given their uncontested majority, why is there such urgency in passing laws without proper scrutiny? What clandestine activities might be underway within the ruling coalition and MORENA, and what concessions are being made in exchange?
- What is the Trade-off? The haste and unilateral actions have never been observed in any parliament worldwide. It’s unclear what each faction of the Fourth Transformation seeks or what deals they are striking with their allies. We will soon learn more, but for now, the public can only observe the absolute power and impunity enjoyed by these authorities, setting a questionable example for other officials and citizens.
Contextualizing the Situation
To understand the gravity of this situation, it’s essential to recognize the key players and their roles. The current political climate in Mexico is dominated by the Morena party, led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). Morena’s majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies has allowed for swift legislative actions, often bypassing established procedures and checks.
The absence of a supreme court with the authority to strike down unconstitutional laws has further emboldened the legislative and executive branches. This power vacuum has led to a concerning trend of impunity, as illegal acts and blatant disregard for established rules become the norm.
The recent extraordinary congressional session, marred by a lack of structure and transparency, exemplifies this worrying trajectory. The rush to pass laws without proper debate or scrutiny raises questions about the motivations behind such haste and the potential concessions being made. The public’s right to know the details of these negotiations remains unfulfilled, perpetuating a cycle of mistrust and disregard for the rule of law.
