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 highlights the remarkable achievements of the left-wing governing party, Morena, under the leadership of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and his successor Claudia Sheinbaum. As the 2024 election year unfolds, Mexico stands out as an anomaly in the global political climate, where incumbents often face grim prospects and far-right movements gain traction. Instead, Morena not only maintained the presidency but also secured a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber of deputies, showcasing its significant influence. This success is particularly noteworthy given that the far-right failed to field a candidate, indicating a unique political dynamic that has captured the attention of progressives worldwide, eager to understand how a leftist party can thrive in such challenging times.
Morena’s journey began in 2018 when AMLO won a historic 55% of the vote, marking a pivotal moment in Mexican politics. This was a time reminiscent of the “pink tide” in Latin America, where leftist leaders experienced a resurgence. Claudia Sheinbaum’s recent victory, where she garnered an impressive 60% of the vote, further cements Morena’s position as a dominant force. However, Graham points out that while Morena has made strides in promoting social justice and addressing Mexico’s deep-seated inequality, it has also diluted some of its core progressive principles in favor of pragmatism. This blend of social justice initiatives with more ambiguous policies raises questions about the sustainability and replicability of Morena’s model for other countries. As the party navigates the complexities of governance, it remains to be seen whether its approach can inspire a global leftist movement or if it serves as a cautionary tale of compromise in the pursuit of power.
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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