What can the global left learn from Mexico – where far-right politics hasn’t taken off? | Thomas Graham
In a compelling analysis of Mexico’s political landscape, journalist Thomas Graham outlines how the leftwing governing party, Morena, has successfully navigated the complexities of social justice while balancing the demands of pragmatism. As the country approaches the 2024 election year, the political climate appears to diverge from global trends, with Morena not only retaining the presidency but also securing a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house of Congress. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the broader political environment in many countries, where incumbents face grim prospects and far-right movements gain traction. Notably, the far-right opposition in Mexico was unable to field a candidate, illustrating the unique position of Morena in the current political landscape.
Morena’s rise can be traced back to its historic 2018 victory, when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran of leftist politics, captured 55% of the vote. With the constitution limiting presidents to a single term, López Obrador’s close ally, Claudia Sheinbaum, has taken the reins and further solidified the party’s dominance by winning 60% of the vote in the latest elections. This remarkable success mirrors the “pink tide” era in Latin America, characterized by the reelection of leftist leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales, who similarly garnered increased support in their subsequent terms. However, Graham emphasizes that while Morena’s focus on addressing Mexico’s stark inequality has resonated with many, the party’s governance has also incorporated pragmatic elements that may not align with traditional progressive ideals. This duality raises questions about the sustainability and replicability of Morena’s model for other leftist movements around the world, as it navigates the delicate balance between social justice and political expediency.
As the world watches, Morena’s trajectory offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of leftist politics in Latin America, highlighting both the potential for transformative change and the complexities that come with governance. The party’s ability to maintain support amid challenges, while also adapting its principles to meet the demands of the political landscape, serves as a case study for progressives globally.
Thomas Graham, a journalist based in Mexico City, explains how the leftwing governing party, Morena, has promoted social justice but diluted principle with pragmatism
If you were to summarise the 2024 election year, you might say: grim for incumbents, good for the far right. Yet Mexico bucked both trends. Its governing party, Morena, not only retained the presidency but – along with its
partners
in the Sigamos Haciendo Historia coalition – gained a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber of deputies, the lower house, while the far right failed to even run a candidate. That a self-described leftwing party could have such success by fixing on Mexico’s chasmic inequality has drawn attention from hopeful progressives worldwide. But Morena’s programme has some not-so-progressive elements too. It is not necessarily one others could – or would want to – copy in its entirety.
Morena first notched a historic result in 2018, when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, an old face of the left who ran for president twice before founding the party, won a record 55% of the vote during the general elections. Mexico’s constitution limits presidents to a single term. But this time, Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of López Obrador’s,
won 60%
of the vote. Her victory was reminiscent of the heyday of Latin America’s “pink tide”, when leftist leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales were reelected for a second term with more votes than their initial victories.
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