Mexico's Senate approved the Plan B electoral reform with 87 votes in favor and 41 against, removing proposed changes to presidential recall via a Partido del Trabajo (PT) reserve. The measure aims to cut costs and privileges at the National Electoral Institute (INE) and other bodies. President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the privilege cuts but regretted the recall omission.
Mexico's Senate approved the Plan B electoral reform bill on Thursday, March 26, with 87 votes in favor and 41 against, requiring a qualified majority, and sent it to the Chamber of Deputies. In particular debate, PT Senator Lizeth Sánchez García's accepted reserve removed changes to constitutional Article 35 on presidential recall, keeping it unchanged. She argued that recall and elections serve different purposes and mixing them risks distorting democratic intent, while reaffirming PT support for Sheinbaum's project. Proposals from Morena, PAN, PRI, Movimiento Ciudadano, PVEM, and PT were rejected, approving original changes to Articles 115, 116, and 134. Key measures include salary caps for electoral counselors and magistrates not exceeding the president's pay; municipal councils limited to one syndicatura and up to 15 councilors; state congress budgets capped at 0.7% of total entity spending; and a progressive 15% Senate budget cut over four fiscal years. In her March 26 morning conference, Sheinbaum celebrated the Plan B for putting the INE 'on a diet' and ending privileges like major medical expense insurance for counselors. She said savings would go to health, education, and welfare programs. She criticized PRI, PAN, and Movimiento Ciudadano legislators for opposing recall flexibility in 2027, claiming fear of its midterm election impact. She also reproached PT, stating it is 'bad for Mexico' that the part was not approved, though without breaking alliance. Morena Senate leader Ignacio Mier denied failure, emphasizing republican austerity and stability. Opposition parties celebrated the recall rejection.
