President Claudia Sheinbaum's electoral reform advances without a public text, causing disagreements among allies like PVEM and PT, who resist budget cuts and changes to plurinominal seats. Critics like José Woldenberg warn it could erode political plurality, while the government aims to reduce costs and deepen democracy. The initiative will be presented to Congress in February for approval in March.
President Claudia Sheinbaum's proposed electoral reform has entered a critical phase, marked by opacity and internal disputes within the ruling coalition. According to Ricardo Monreal, Morena's Senate coordinator, 'right now we are discussing the legal nothing, because there is nothing. Only media expressions'. Only a close circle, including Pablo Gómez, knows the details, causing tensions with allies like PVEM and PT, reluctant to cut party budgets by 30-50% and eliminate plurinominal seats that benefited their legislators.
José Woldenberg, former IFE president, warned in an interview that the 4T must recognize the legitimacy of other political forces, as 'the premise of the ruling coalition is that they hold the truth in their fist'. He cautioned that the reform seems 'from the government for the government', risking the plurality built from the 1970s to 2018. Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez emphasized against nepotism, stating in a private meeting: 'How is it possible to inherit power to a son or wife. That will end'.
Among proposals discussed in simulated forums are voting for Mexicans abroad, resource oversight, mandate revocation tied to 2027 elections, and greater citizen participation. Critics see these changes as an attempt to perpetuate Morena, concentrating power after capturing the Judiciary and Legislature. INE budget cuts could compromise equity, limiting polling stations and citizen involvement. The opposition, like PAN, PRI, and MC, remains silent, while Woldenberg urges dialogue to avoid eroding democratic legitimacy.
The process, without broad consensus, seeks constitutional approval in March and legal in April, deepening democracy according to Monreal, but threatening checks and balances amid Morena's overrepresentation.
