Wilson Center | Mexico Institute’s Post

Mexico goes to the ballot box on Sunday to elect President, the totality of a new House, the full senate, each an every mayor, local congresspeople, and city council members. While the elections were historical for many reasons (the collapse of the traditional party system, the fact that the two top candidates are women, or the level of engagement in the electoral cycle, for example) the defining characteristic of these elections is that 35 candidates were murdered during the electoral cycle. In less than a year, during the political campaigns, 35 members of the Mexican political class (from local community organized to more established party "statepeople") were gunned down by organized crime to influence who governs Mexico. This is a scary number and one that should not be ignored by anybody in the North American region. Each of those homicides shapes who governs Mexico (by removing somebody) but also, how Mexico is governed. https://lnkd.in/gGJQSuYC

Post#0077 🚨 Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Verdict Against Electoral Bonds Scheme 🚨 The recent judgment by the Supreme Court of India, dated February 15, 2024, striking down the electoral bonds scheme, marks a significant milestone in our democracy. Trilochan Sastry, Chairman and Founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), eloquently highlights the pivotal message embedded within this decision. Transparency lies at the heart of democracy, and unfortunately, the electoral bonds scheme veered away from this principle by operating opaquely. Sastry rightly points out that voters in India remained in the dark regarding the identities of political party funders and the amounts contributed. This lack of transparency not only undermines the democratic process but also fosters an environment ripe for corruption. The removal of funding limits for corporate entities under the electoral bonds scheme raised serious legal concerns. Across leading democracies, stringent limits are imposed on corporate donations to prevent undue influence on governmental policies. The judgment underscores the dangers of corporate funding in politics, emphasizing that such contributions often come with the intention of influencing political processes to benefit businesses. Furthermore, the amendment to the Reserve Bank of India Act, which allowed for the issuance of electoral bonds, bypassed essential legislative procedures and raised questions about the integrity of the legal framework surrounding electoral financing. Sastry's analysis sheds light on the intricacies of these legal maneuvers and their implications for democratic governance. The Supreme Court's verdict serves as a beacon of hope, reaffirming the fundamental principles of transparency and equality enshrined in our Constitution. By striking down the electoral bonds scheme and associated amendments, the Court has upheld the rights of citizens to access information and ensured that the electoral process remains free from undue corporate influence. This judgment underscores the vital role of constitutional bodies like the Election Commission of India and the judiciary in safeguarding the integrity of our democracy. It reminds us that the price of democracy is eternal vigilance and calls upon citizens to remain actively engaged in holding political parties accountable for their actions. In conclusion, the Supreme Court's landmark decision is not just a legal ruling but a clarion call for citizens to remain vigilant guardians of democracy. As we celebrate this victory for transparency and accountability, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the voices of the people always remain paramount in shaping our nation's future. #SupremeCourt #ElectoralBonds #Democracy #Transparency #ADR #India https://lnkd.in/giPAn8bB

#Mexico🇲🇽is on the brink of its largest-ever election day, with significant stakes at play. However, amidst the anticipation, there are concerns raised by opposition forces regarding President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's intentions should his allies emerge victorious. The fear is that a victory for his allies could potentially lead to a deepening of authoritarian rule, raising alarms about the future trajectory of Mexico's democracy. Adding to the complexity of the situation is the exploitation of electoral competition by criminal groups. These groups see elections as an opportunity to further their agendas, whether it be through securing impunity for their illicit activities or gaining influence over political processes. This exploitation poses a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process and undermines the democratic principles that elections are meant to uphold. The significance of these issues cannot be overstated. Electoral violence and illicit influence in Mexico have been on the rise in recent years, and the upcoming elections are predicted to be critical in determining the country's political landscape moving forward. The polarization of Mexican politics and the weakness of its political parties only exacerbate the situation.

📆Don't forget to register for tomorrow's event! What's next for the rule of law in Mexico? In early February, just four months ahead of scheduled presidential elections, Mexican President López Obrador introduced a series of constitutional reforms with serious implications for the judicial system, electoral integrity, and other institutions. Civil society organizations and watchdog groups have raised concerns about these attempts to exert control over the judiciary, the absence of substantial anti-corruption initiatives, and proposals that could weaken electoral oversight bodies. Join us and a group of distinguished speakers at the New York City Bar Association for a panel examining the current state of the rule of law in Mexico, the implications of these proposed changes, and some of the key challenges facing the incoming administration. 🗓 Tuesday, April 16 🕖 6:00-8:00 p.m. 🔗 More information and registration: https://lnkd.in/eqh58Mbm #Mexico #ruleoflaw

If you are unsure this will help. Do the survey it takes 5 minutes. you will get a better result if you chose the subjects that you care about. https://lnkd.in/eYNEmey3

This reinforces the view that it was never a vote for change but rather ANC #InternalDisagreement being externalized. Moreover, the Absence of a #Presidential picture for 2024 is quite telling. On 13 June 2024 (today) - the South African Parliament will elect a President. In a normal setup , and if the ANC had majority seat(s), it would have elected/nominated a President. However, This is due to their loss of seats which amounts to loss of voice in Parliament. SA is looking at the birth of a #CoalitionPresident. Just so you know, a coalition government(s) usually occur when no single party has achieved an absolute majority after an election. A party not having majority is common under proportional representation, but not in nations with majoritarian electoral systems. #DataDoesntLie

For those still unsure on who to vote for... 👇 Until yesterday, I still didn't know who to vote for in today's General Election. If I'm perfectly honest, my opinion was swayed by the colour they represented, not by the policies they stood for. If you're still unsure on who to vote for today, may I recommend using 'Vote for Policies'. It's a website that removes political parties, bias, and colour from the equation. It anonymously presents policies covering a wide range of key areas such as healthcare, the economy, defence, immigration, and democracy. You then select the policies that resonate with you, where at the end, it gives you a score and it tells you which policies align with which party. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eYNEmey3 #GeneralElecrion #Vote

🟢 | EXPERT ANALYSIS: Our #ConstitutionalReformsGuide features new content: “Mexico´s Judicial Overhaul has two Clear Winners: The Ruling Party and Narco” by Sebastián Incháustegui! “Most liberal democracies today reject the counter-majoritarian critique that would have judiciary members popularly elected, at least on a federal level. However, in the case of Mexico, the discussion is not only a matter of political philosophy and constitutional design. The country currently lacks the conditions to sustain the massive judiciary elections fairly and equitably. This year’s election season was Mexico’s biggest and bloodiest in modern history. Over 330 recorded violent incidents (of which 95 resulted in deaths) targeted towards political figures took place. Narco, Mexico’s biggest cancer, contributed to the problem.” 🇲🇽 ⚖️ 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKjQkaKd #ConstitutionalReforms #JudicialReform #IndependentJudiciary #Violence #JudiciaryOverhaul #OrganizedCrime

Tunisia’s political landscape faces increasing turmoil as a court has sentenced several potential presidential candidates to prison and barred them from running in the upcoming October elections. Many argue this move targets serious challengers to President Kais Saied, who has been accused of exerting undue pressure on the judiciary to secure his re-election. Among those sentenced are prominent figures such as Abdel Latif Mekki, Nizar Chaari, and Abir Moussi, who have faced charges ranging from vote buying to insulting the election commission. This crackdown on opposition figures reflects broader issues in Tunisia’s political landscape, where freedoms of expression and political participation are increasingly under threat. Will the international community address this crackdown, or continue to ignore the erosion of democratic values in Tunisia? https://bit.ly/3WUtzXq