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 delves into the political landscape of Mexico, focusing on the left-wing governing party, Morena, and its significant achievements in the 2024 elections. Despite a global trend of declining fortunes for incumbents and the rise of far-right movements, Morena not only retained the presidency but also expanded its influence by securing a two-thirds supermajority in the Chamber of Deputies. This remarkable success comes in stark contrast to the far-right opposition, which notably failed to field a candidate. Graham highlights that Morena’s focus on addressing Mexico’s deep-seated inequality has resonated with progressive movements worldwide, drawing attention to the party’s unique blend of social justice initiatives and pragmatic governance.
The roots of Morena’s success can be traced back to the historic 2018 elections when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran of leftist politics, won the presidency with an unprecedented 55% of the vote. In the latest elections, his ally Claudia Sheinbaum built on this momentum, achieving a remarkable 60% victory. This outcome evokes memories of the “pink tide” in Latin America, characterized by the reelection of leftist leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales with even greater support than in their initial campaigns. However, Graham cautions that while Morena’s achievements are noteworthy, the party’s approach includes elements that may not align with traditional progressive values, suggesting a complex interplay between ideology and pragmatism in Mexican politics.
As the political narrative unfolds, Graham’s insights prompt a broader discussion about the future of leftist movements in Latin America and beyond. While Morena’s model offers a compelling case study for addressing social inequalities, it also raises questions about the sacrifices made in the name of political pragmatism. As the global left looks to Mexico for inspiration, it must grapple with the nuances of Morena’s governance, which, while successful, may not serve as a one-size-fits-all blueprint for other nations.
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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