PAN and PRI Reject Claudia Sheinbaum’s Electoral Reform Proposal

Web Editor

January 18, 2026

a couple of people standing in front of a building with a pink sign on it's side that says instituti

Background on Key Figures and Parties Involved

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the current Chief of Government in Mexico City and a prominent member of Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (Morena), has proposed an electoral reform. This proposal, referred to as the “Ley Maduro,” has sparked controversy and opposition from other major political parties, namely the National Action Party (PAN) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

Key Players and Their Roles

  • Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo: Chief of Government in Mexico City and a leading figure in Morena, she is pushing for electoral reform.
  • Jorge Romero Herrera: President of the PAN, he has expressed his party’s rejection of Sheinbaum’s proposed reform.
  • Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas: President of the PRI, he has also voiced his party’s opposition to the reform.
  • Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez: Coordinator of the Partido del Trabajo (PT), an ally of Morena, who agreed to collaborate on electoral reform with the government.

Details of the Controversy

The PAN and PRI leaders have criticized Sheinbaum’s proposed electoral reform, claiming it mirrors the path that led Venezuela to institutional capture and authoritarianism. They argue that allowing the ruling party to write the rules, control the arbiter, and compete simultaneously undermines democracy.

PAN’s Stance

Jorge Romero Herrera, PAN president, stated that the proposed reform is unnecessary and dangerously similar to Venezuela’s trajectory. He called it the “Ley Maduro,” implying that it would lead Mexico down a path of institutional capture and authoritarianism.

PRI’s Stance

Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, PRI president, warned that his party will not allow the government to continue undermining Mexico’s fragile democratic norms. He described Morena’s electoral reform as a “fraud” aimed at establishing a narcodictatorship, terrorism, and communism in Mexico.

Allies’ Response

In contrast, Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez, coordinator of the Partido del Trabajo (PT), an ally of Morena, announced that his party would collaborate with the government on electoral reform. He stated that this partnership aims to improve Mexico’s political life and enrich democratic processes.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the proposed electoral reform? Claudia Sheinbaum’s proposed electoral reform, called the “Ley Maduro,” aims to change Mexico’s electoral rules.
  • Who opposes the reform? The National Action Party (PAN) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) have expressed their opposition to Sheinbaum’s proposed electoral reform.
  • Who supports the reform? The Partido del Trabajo (PT), an ally of Morena, has agreed to collaborate with the government on electoral reform.
  • Why are PAN and PRI against the reform? They argue that allowing the ruling party to write electoral rules undermines democracy and could lead Mexico down a path similar to Venezuela’s institutional capture and authoritarianism.