Introduction to the Fourth Transformation and its Legislative Impact
Since the onset of Mexico’s Fourth Transformation under President Claudia Sheinbaum, a fundamental principle of the division of powers has been altered: the executive proposes, and the legislative swiftly enacts without delay. This unprecedented speed in passing legislation has led to the rapid approval of numerous constitutional reforms across federal and state levels.
Rapid Approval of Constitutional Reforms
Within just two months of the commencement of the LXVI Legislature, a constitutional reform was passed to renew the Federal Judicial Power. By October, it had garnered support from 17 state legislatures.
Sheinbaum’s Legislative Agenda
Even before Claudia Sheinbaum took the presidential oath, her legislative agenda had secured the majority votes. This swiftly led to the approval of constitutional reforms, including recognizing indigenous and afro-Mexican rights as social subjects and integrating the National Guard under the Defense Secretary to ensure its professionalization and adherence to peacekeeping duties.
Security Public Reform
By the end of 2024, state legislatures validated a constitutional reform in security matters, granting the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, along with state police forces, the authority to investigate crimes and coordinate the National Strategy for Public Security and related programs.
Anti-Nepotism and Anti-Reelection Reform
Another significant reform, prohibiting electoral nepotism and ensuring non-reelection, was passed and promulgated before Easter. This marked the first time in Mexico’s history that equal substantive rights, a violence-free life, and equal pay for women and men were constitutionally guaranteed.
Social Rights and Well-being Enhancements
During the first year of Sheinbaum’s administration, additional federal constitutional reforms were promoted to secure social rights access and improve population well-being. These included a constitutional reform for wage setting above inflation, elevating federal programs like free fertilizers, production for well-being, and disability pensions to constitutional status, reducing the retirement age from 68 to 65, and establishing a constitutional right to decent housing.
State Legislatures’ Support
State legislatures also backed the unanimous approval of a constitutional reform minuta from the federal Congress to protect and care for animals, promoting respectful social and biological relationships.
Biocultural and Alimentary Protection
Furthermore, both federal and local levels approved a reform to recognize and protect maize as a transgene-free crop, ensuring its continued cultivation without genetically modified organisms.
Continued Swift Legislative Action
In the second year of the LXVI Legislature, this rapid legislative pace will persist. The Amparo Law reform is expected to pass in the Senate this week, despite delays in forming new national commissions for Antimonopoly and Telecommunications Regulation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Fourth Transformation in Mexico? The Fourth Transformation refers to the current political and social movement led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, characterized by swift legislative action and significant constitutional reforms.
- What are some key constitutional reforms passed during this period? Key reforms include recognizing indigenous and afro-Mexican rights, integrating the National Guard under the Defense Secretary, enhancing security public reforms, prohibiting electoral nepotism and ensuring non-reelection, and securing social rights access and well-being improvements.
- How have state legislatures contributed to these reforms? State legislatures have supported federal constitutional reforms in areas such as animal protection, biocultural and alimentary protection, and the recognition of maize as a transgene-free crop.
