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 explores the remarkable success of the left-wing governing party, Morena, during the 2024 election cycle. Unlike many incumbents facing grim prospects globally, Morena not only retained the presidency but also achieved a significant victory in the Chamber of Deputies, securing a two-thirds supermajority alongside its coalition partners in the Sigamos Haciendo Historia alliance. This triumph is particularly notable given that the far-right opposition failed to field a candidate, highlighting the unique political dynamics at play in Mexico. Morena’s focus on addressing the country’s stark social inequalities has garnered attention from progressive movements worldwide, positioning it as a potential model for leftist governance. However, Graham warns that Morena’s approach is not without its complexities, as its pragmatic strategies sometimes dilute its foundational principles of social justice.
The roots of Morena’s success can be traced back to its historic win in 2018, when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran of Mexican politics and a prominent figure on the left, captured an unprecedented 55% of the vote in the presidential election. This momentum continued with the recent election of Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of López Obrador, who secured an impressive 60% of the vote, echoing the earlier successes of leftist leaders in Latin America during the so-called “pink tide.” While this electoral performance reflects a growing acceptance of leftist policies among the Mexican electorate, Graham emphasizes that Morena’s governance is characterized by a blend of progressive ideals and pragmatic compromises. For instance, while the party has championed social programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, it has also adopted policies that may not align with traditional leftist values, raising questions about the sustainability and ideological coherence of its platform.
As the political landscape evolves, the implications of Morena’s governance extend beyond Mexico’s borders, potentially influencing leftist movements across the globe. While the party’s achievements are commendable, the challenges it faces in maintaining its ideological integrity amid pragmatic governance will be crucial in determining its long-term impact on Mexican society and the broader progressive agenda. As Graham notes, the lessons learned from Morena’s experience could serve as both inspiration and cautionary tales for other nations grappling with similar socio-economic disparities and political challenges.
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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