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, in the context of the upcoming 2024 elections. While many incumbents around the globe face grim prospects, Morena not only retained the presidency but also achieved a significant political milestone by securing a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber of deputies, the lower house of Congress. This victory is particularly striking given that the far-right opposition failed to field a candidate, underscoring Morena’s dominance. The party’s focus on addressing Mexico’s profound social inequalities has resonated with voters, drawing attention from progressive movements worldwide. However, Graham cautions that Morena’s approach is not without its complexities, as the party has often prioritized pragmatism over strict adherence to its progressive principles.
The roots of Morena’s success can be traced back to the historic 2018 elections, when Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a veteran of the leftist movement, captured a staggering 55% of the vote, marking a significant shift in Mexico’s political dynamics. This year, Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of López Obrador, further solidified this leftward trend by winning 60% of the vote, echoing the successes of past leftist leaders during Latin America’s “pink tide.” Yet, as Graham highlights, the path forward for Morena is fraught with challenges. The party’s policies, while aimed at social justice, have at times diluted their ideological purity in favor of pragmatic governance. This balancing act raises questions about the sustainability of their approach and whether it can serve as a model for other progressive movements globally.
As Mexico heads into what promises to be a pivotal election year, the implications of Morena’s governance will be closely scrutinized. The party’s ability to navigate the complexities of social justice while maintaining broad electoral support may offer valuable lessons for leftist movements elsewhere. However, the nuances of their policy decisions and the compromises made along the way could also serve as cautionary tales for those seeking to replicate Morena’s success. In a world where political landscapes are often polarized, Mexico’s experience under Morena presents a fascinating case study of how a left-wing party can achieve electoral success while grappling with the realities 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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