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 political landscape in Mexico, particularly focusing on the left-wing governing party, Morena, and its recent electoral successes. Despite a global trend where incumbents face grim prospects and far-right parties gain momentum, Mexico’s political scene has diverged sharply. In the 2024 elections, Morena not only retained the presidency but also expanded its influence by securing a two-thirds supermajority in the Chamber of Deputies, the nation’s lower house. This remarkable achievement is underscored by the absence of any far-right candidates in the elections, marking a significant moment for a party that has positioned itself as a champion of social justice in a country grappling with stark inequality. The success of Morena has garnered attention from progressive movements worldwide, as it illustrates an effective strategy for addressing deep-seated social issues.
Morena’s journey began in 2018 when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran figure in Mexican politics, led the party to a historic victory, capturing 55% of the vote. This year, his close ally Claudia Sheinbaum further solidified the party’s dominance by winning 60% of the vote, echoing the peak of Latin America’s “pink tide,” characterized by the rise of leftist leaders like Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales. However, Graham notes that while Morena’s commitment to social justice is commendable, the party’s approach has sometimes diluted its foundational principles in favor of political pragmatism. This blend of idealism and practicality raises questions about the replicability of Morena’s model in other contexts, as it includes elements that may not resonate with all progressive movements. As the global political climate continues to evolve, Mexico’s experience under Morena serves as a complex case study of how leftist politics can navigate the challenges of governance while striving for social equity.
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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