What can the global left learn from Mexico – where far-right politics hasn’t taken off? | Thomas Graham
In a recent analysis, journalist Thomas Graham sheds light on the remarkable political landscape in Mexico, particularly regarding the left-wing governing party, Morena, which has managed to navigate a complex path between promoting social justice and adhering to pragmatic governance. As Mexico approaches the 2024 election year, the prevailing sentiment in many countries is grim for incumbents and favorable for far-right movements. However, Mexico’s political climate tells a different story. Morena, under the leadership of Claudia Sheinbaum—an ally of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador—has not only retained the presidency but has also secured a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber of deputies, showcasing a significant political triumph. Notably, the far-right opposition struggled to field a candidate, further highlighting Morena’s dominance.
Morena’s success can be attributed to its focus on addressing Mexico’s stark inequality, a theme that resonates with progressives around the globe. López Obrador first brought Morena to prominence in 2018, winning a historic 55% of the vote in his presidential bid. This election was marked by a wave of support for leftist policies reminiscent of the “pink tide” in Latin America, where leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales enjoyed similar electoral successes. Sheinbaum’s recent victory, where she garnered an impressive 60% of the vote, reinforces the party’s stronghold in Mexican politics and reflects a broader trend of leftist resurgence in the region. However, Graham cautions that Morena’s approach is not without its complexities; while it champions social justice initiatives, it also incorporates elements of pragmatism that may not align with traditional progressive ideals. This duality raises questions about the replicability of Morena’s model in other contexts, as it balances ambitious social programs with the realities of governance.
As the political landscape evolves, the implications of Morena’s governance extend beyond Mexico’s borders, capturing the interest of global progressives eager for solutions to systemic inequality. Nevertheless, the party’s pragmatic compromises may serve as a cautionary tale for those seeking to emulate its success without fully understanding the nuances of its political strategy. The 2024 elections will be a pivotal moment for Morena, as it seeks to maintain its momentum while navigating the challenges that come with such significant 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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