What can the global left learn from Mexico – where far-right politics hasn’t taken off? | Thomas Graham
In a notable political landscape marked by a global shift towards the right, Mexico’s governing party, Morena, has emerged as a significant player in promoting social justice while navigating the complexities of political pragmatism. Thomas Graham, a journalist based in Mexico City, highlights the party’s remarkable success in the 2024 election cycle, where it not only retained the presidency but also achieved a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber of deputies, alongside its coalition partners in Sigamos Haciendo Historia. This feat is particularly striking given the backdrop of a global political climate that has generally favored far-right movements, making Morena’s achievements noteworthy for progressive movements around the world.
The party’s roots trace back to the historic 2018 elections when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran of leftist politics, captured a staggering 55% of the vote. Fast forward to the recent elections, and López Obrador’s close ally, Claudia Sheinbaum, has outdone this record, securing 60% of the vote. Her victory is reminiscent of the “pink tide” in Latin America, where leftist leaders enjoyed significant electoral support during their tenures. However, Graham points out that while Morena’s focus on addressing Mexico’s deep-seated inequality resonates with many, the party’s approach includes elements that may not align with traditional progressive ideals. This blend of social justice advocacy and pragmatic governance raises questions about the replicability and desirability of Morena’s model for other nations seeking progressive reform.
As Morena navigates its dual identity of championing social justice while employing pragmatic strategies, it presents a complex case study for political analysts and activists alike. The party’s success highlights the potential for leftist movements to thrive in challenging political climates, but it also underscores the need for critical examination of the principles underpinning such victories. As the world watches Mexico’s evolving political landscape, the implications of Morena’s governance could offer valuable lessons for progressive movements globally, particularly in balancing idealism with the practicalities of governance.
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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