What can the global left learn from Mexico – where far-right politics hasn’t taken off? | Thomas Graham
In a recent article, journalist Thomas Graham delves into the political landscape of Mexico, highlighting the remarkable success of the left-wing governing party, Morena, in the context of the upcoming 2024 elections. While many incumbents globally face grim prospects, Morena not only retained the presidency but also achieved a significant milestone by securing a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber of deputies, bolstered by its coalition partners in Sigamos Haciendo Historia. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that the far-right opposition failed to field a candidate, marking a unique moment in a time when many countries are witnessing a resurgence of right-wing politics. The party’s focus on addressing Mexico’s stark social inequalities has garnered attention from progressive movements around the world, presenting a model of leftist governance that appears both promising and contentious.
Graham points out that while Morena’s platform emphasizes social justice and aims to tackle deep-rooted inequality, it also incorporates elements of pragmatism that may not align with traditional progressive values. The party’s rise can be traced back to the 2018 elections when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran of the leftist movement, captured a historic 55% of the vote. This year, Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of López Obrador, further solidified Morena’s dominance by winning 60% of the vote, echoing the successes of leftist leaders during Latin America’s “pink tide.” However, the article cautions that Morena’s approach is not without its complexities; the party’s blend of progressive ideals with pragmatic governance raises questions about its long-term sustainability and the potential implications for other leftist movements globally. As Mexico navigates its unique political terrain, the outcomes of Morena’s policies and their reception will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.
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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