Mexico: massive protests against AMLO's electoral reforms
The organizers estimate that 500,000 people gathered in Mexico City's Zócalo Plaza. Government sources estimated just 90,000 attendees.
(Cordon Press)
Tens of thousands of people protested in Mexico against the electoral reform approved last week by the Chamber of Deputies. According to organizers' figures, some 500,000 people gathered this Sunday in Mexico City's Zócalo Plaza. Government sources estimated just 90,000 protestors.
In addition to the capital, there were protests in dozens of cities against legislation promoted by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). The protestors, dressed in pink (the color of the official electoral oversight body), shouted slogans such as, “Don’t touch the National Electoral Institute," or, "Don’t touch my vote," making reference to the fact that the upcoming voting could be corrupted.
López Obrador was also the subject of numerous protests. Among the crowd, there were banners with the slogan "AMLO goes, INE stays" or "AMLO, your ineptitude cannot be corrected by killing INE." Other chants went further, claiming that with this new law there will be "dictatorship and repression.”
Thousands of people participate in the rally INE (National Electoral Institute) does not touch! in Mexico City's Zocalo. on February 26, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico (file image).
Electoral reform
Last week, the General Congress of the United Mexican States approved the so-called Plan B. This law will cut the budget and staff of the National Electoral Institute (INE) by 24 billion pesos, about $1.2 billion dollars.
In December, the Chamber of Deputies rejected this reform. Although it had more votes in favor than against, it failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority needed for approval. Last Thursday, AMLO managed to convince his partners in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to push through his proposal.
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