(Mexico) The Mexican Senate on Wednesday approved a controversial reform by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador aimed at reducing the size and budget of the body responsible for elections, which the opposition has called an “attack” on democracy in Mexico. the approach of the presidential election.
After receiving the green light from the Chamber of Deputies, the text was approved by 72 senators from the ruling Morena party and its allies, after which it will be sent to the executive for publication, the Senate said.
The text, which received 50 votes against, reduces the payroll and the budget of the National Electoral Institute (INE), in charge of organizing the elections. Mr. Lopez Obrador accuses him of being expensive and of having covered up fraud in the past.
The opposition believes that these cuts threaten the independence of the INE, which will also be limited in its powers to sanction politicians for electoral violations, in particular with regard to government propaganda during campaign periods.
Senator Félix Salgado, of the majority party, accused the opposition of opposing an end to the “privileges” and “waste” of the INE, which he said condoned “state fraud”.
The opposition announced that it intended to seize the Supreme Court, believing that this electoral reform would benefit the left-wing government in the next presidential election scheduled for 2024.
She also called for a demonstration in Mexico City and other cities next Sunday to protest against this reform.
On November 13, when this reform bill was still under discussion, a massive opposition demonstration took place in Mexico City.
Mr. Lopez Obrador, whose popularity is around 60% and who cannot legally stand for re-election, responded with another march on November 27, taking to the streets of the capital’s city center alongside his supporters.