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Mexico's Presidential Elections

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June 18, 2018

What is the issue?

  • Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), has been dominating the country's politics for almost a century.
  • But the upcoming presidential elections is likely to be an uphill battle for the party as defeat seems to be looming large.

What is the political context in Mexico?

  • Political Reality - In recent years, Mexico has seen brisk economic growth, low inflation and a sharp fall in unemployment.
  • But despite these positive metrics, there has been a steady slide in the popularity of the corruption tainted government of President "Enrique Peña Nieto".
  • Opinion polls indicate massive support for radical left-wing opposition "National Regeneration Movement" led by "Andrés Manuel López Obrador".
  • International Reasons - The performance of Mexican Currency "Peso" (which has depreciated rapidly) is suspected to have aided the anti-incumbency wave.
  • Notably, President Nieto's rule saw heightened treats of U.S. quitting the North American Free Trade Agreement due to President Trump's theatrics. \
  • Domestic Reasons - The fallout from the political mishandling of the mysterious disappearance of scores of children in 2014 has been severe.
  • Mr. Nieto’s government has also been at the centre of a political storm beginning with accusations that surfaced last year of illegal funding of his 2012 election.
  • The subsequent sacking of chief prosecutor involved in the investigations and denial of various alleged scams eroded the government's credibility.

How is the current electoral battle proceeding?

  • Defender - Presidents are allowed just one term in Mexico.
  • Hence, the ruling PRI has designated José Antonio Meade (a minister in previous PRI governments) as its presidential candidate.
  • Notably, Mr. Meade is a technocrat who is independent of any party affiliations, a factor that could've propelled him into the race to circumvent anti-incumbency. 
  • Challenger - The opposition presidential candidate "López Obrador" is a three-time contender for the presidency and former Mayor of Mexico City.
  • His rhetoric is low on substance, but it seems to be appealing to the masses, which at present seems largely disenchanted with the government.
  • In this context, the rising popularity of leftist forces has already started giving jitters to big corporate companies in the energy sector.
  • Irrespective of the outcome, if Mexico succeeds to make a political transition peacefully through the ballot, it will count as a big national achievement.

 

Source: The Hindu

 

 

 

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