In these 3 years of President López Obrador’s government, it has become clear that the democratic reforms that we have carried out in the last 30 years are not guaranteed and can be reversed.
Today, the autonomy of the Judiciary, of the states and municipalities, of the INE and the TEPJF, of the Bank of Mexico, of the CNDH and the Inegi, the freedom of expression of the media, journalists and intellectuals, the autonomy UNAM and public universities and colleges and civil society organizations, among others.
Our democratic freedoms are also at risk due to the militarization of public security and the intervention of the armed forces in activities that correspond to civil institutions.
Based on our Constitution, the President of the Republic continues to maintain a series of powers that allow him to control, through appointments and the management of the budget, the other powers, the states and independent organizations.
His power to propose the ministers of the Court and that if his shortlists are rejected he finally decides on the appointments, allows him to impose unconditional ministers. Currently four ministers have been appointed by the current president, which guarantees that laws that go against our Constitution are not overthrown, since to suspend them it is required that eight of the 11 ministers vote in favor.
With his majority in the Chamber of Deputies, he can manage the budget as he pleases and use this tool to condition the execution of any federal work to the support and discipline of the governors, as is happening in several states.
The power to appoint the governor of the Bank of Mexico and to propose the members of the governing board, has allowed him, through three appointments, to have control of this institution and therefore reduce its autonomy.
The continuous threats and disqualifications of the INE and the TEPJF and the power to reduce their resources in Congress weakens the electoral bodies and puts their autonomy at risk.
The attack and exclusion of organized civil society from any dialogue and support, as well as the elimination of independent organizations, leaves the president without checks and balances and as the only voice in government decisions.
The continuous threats to the independent media and the economic support to the unconditional ones, allows him to spread his messages and weaken the criticism.
The greatest threat to our democracy, however, lies in the militarization of public security and the intervention of the Armed Forces in civilian activities. It will be difficult to return the military forces to their barracks and take away the resources that the government is giving them.
It is necessary to legislate to put padlocks that shield our democracy and limit authoritarianism and presidential centralism, it is urgent to review our constitutional framework to defend our democratic life.
Mexican politician
from the pitch
Citizen interested in solutions for the country and Mexico City. Mexican politician, he has been a federal deputy (1988-1991), a senator (2000-2006) and head of the Miguel Hidalgo delegation (2009-2012).
