Background on Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is the current Head of Government (equivalent to Mayor) of Mexico City, serving since 2018. A prominent figure in the left-wing Morena party, she has been a longtime political activist and academic. As a member of the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party, she has been instrumental in shaping Mexico City’s policies and initiatives.
Sheinbaum’s Electoral Reform Proposals
During her daily morning press conference at Palacio Nacional, Sheinbaum Pardo announced plans to promote electoral reforms aimed at reducing the budget of the National Electoral Institute (INE), the funds received by political parties through prerogatives, and the number of federal deputies and senators representing proportional or plurinominal seats, among other topics.
INE’s Excessive Functions and Political Bias
Sheinbaum Pardo criticized the INE for overstepping its boundaries by debating votes and annulment of voting booths in the recent election for the Federal Judicial Council (PJF). She also pointed out that certain electoral council members have clear political positions.
Key Points:
- INE’s Excessive Functions: Sheinbaum Pardo believes the INE has exceeded its authority by discussing vote validity and booth annulment, tasks that should be handled by the Federal Electoral Tribunal (PJF).
- Political Bias Among Consejeros: Sheinbaum Pardo claims that some INE council members have a clear political stance, acting against the federal government and attempting to undermine the Cuarta Transformación (Fourth Transformation) administration.
Reform Objectives
Sheinbaum Pardo outlined several key areas for electoral reform:
- Reducing the INE’s budget
- Decreasing funds for political parties through prerogatives
- Lowering the number of federal deputies and senators representing proportional or plurinominal seats
Support for Reform from Morena
Ricardo Monreal, coordinator of Morena in the Chamber of Deputies and President of the Junta de Coordinación Política, backed Sheinbaum Pardo’s electoral reform plans. Monreal stated that such reforms are customary, with each president in recent years implementing electoral changes. He emphasized that reforms occur approximately every six years following presidential elections.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of Sheinbaum Pardo’s electoral reform proposal? The main goal is to reduce the INE’s budget, funds for political parties, and the number of federal deputies and senators representing proportional or plurinominal seats.
- Why is Sheinbaum Pardo critical of the INE? She believes that the INE has overstepped its boundaries by debating vote validity and booth annulment, tasks that should be handled by the Federal Electoral Tribunal (PJF). She also claims that some INE council members have clear political biases against the federal government.
- When will these electoral reforms be discussed? Monreal from Morena stated that the proposed electoral reform will likely be discussed during the September session of the ordinary period of sessions.
