POLITICAL REFORM-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On January 22nd, the Congress and state legislatures approved the political reform, and on January 31 the President promulgated it, which is part of the Pact for Mexico agreements. Political pluralism in the country is an undeniable reality, derived from a process of democratic transition. The Political Reform seeks that all political forces take co-responsibility of running the country and its problems and make the political system more functional to give the country governance, expand and improve its democratic system.
KEY POINTS OF REFORM
Legislative Reelection. Re-election of deputies and senators up to 12 years, from 2015 and 2018 respectively. Candidates for re-election must be nominated by their parties. There will only be re-election by the same party, unless public servants renounce before serving half of the term.
Re-election for mayors and local deputies: Local centers introduced this figure in their state laws.
Creation of a General Court: From 2018, there will be two special prosecutors instead of the PGR, one for electoral crimes and another managing corruption. The holder shall be appointed by 2/3of the Senate and may be removed by the President, with the approval of 2/3 of the Senate.
The National Electoral Institute will replace the IFE. The number of directors will rise from nine to eleven. The Chamber of Deputies will continue to choose them by 2/3 of the comity. The INE is responsible for federal elections and may provide at request local elections. It may also invalidate them if there may be doubt of inequity.
Control of Congress on state electoral institutes is withdrawn. The INE appoint s actual local councilors.
Annulment of elections is effective. Given an exceeded campaign budget and when this factor could have generated the difference between the first and second place for less than 5% of the votes.
More votes are needed to hold a political party. An Increase of 2% to 3% of the percentage of votes in order for a party to retain its registration.
Less time between the election and the seizure of power. The Presidential seizure is held back from December 1st to October 1st. Settlement of Congress is also held back on the year of the government transition, from September 1st to August 1st.
Equity among men and women in Congress. Nominations for the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate shall be 50 % for men and women alike.
Coalition governments. The possibility that the President shall form a coalition government is actually effective. Where appropriate, the Senate must ratify the cabinet, except for the secretaries of Defense and Navy.
Ratification of the cabinet. If there shall be no coalition government, the Chamber of Deputies shall endorse the Secretary of Finance and the Senate the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Accountability in security. The Senate shall ratify the national security strategy of the President and he will have to report annually on the results.
Autonomy to CONEVAL. The National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy will no longer depend of the executive branch starting on 2018.
Why a political reform?
Our country has established, over its history, a significant change in the composition of government structures. Mexico now lives a more active and participating democracy, one that demands new forms of interaction between the different political forces. This reality forces us to reconsider a constitutional plan that fosters responsibility within various authorities and levels of government in the execution of public responsibilities, regardless of their political extraction.
Why were changes made to the electoral law?
Political parties need a legal framework that generates greater certainty, transparency and stability to the political system as a whole. Also, elections have to be cheaper and more transparent.
Why the need to encourage coalition governments?
In Mexico, since 1997 no political force has attained majority to exercise governmental actions independently from the others. This situation, far from undermining democracy, is its most important feature, since democracy fits in all forms of thought and ideology.
The close cooperation between the executive and the legislature, with its various political forces, is necessary to fully achieve the objectives of any public policy. For these reasons, one of the axes of the political reform is to build majorities in favor of democratic governance, to facilitate cooperation and wide reaching policies.
Highlights
It was discussed, although not approved, the presidential runoff and removal of presidential immunity. For more information…
Pacto por México (en español) (Gobernabilidad democrática).
Boletín de prensa (en español) (Senado de la República).
