Mexico City protests surge against electoral authority changes

Massive protests erupt in Mexico City as crowds decry proposed electoral authority changes ahead of the presidential elections

Massive crowds gathered in Mexico City’s capital to protest proposed changes to the electoral authority ahead of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for June.

According to the Mexico City government, approximately 90,000 individuals assembled in Zocalo Square, although rally organizers claimed the turnout was significantly higher.

Opposition groups have accused President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of attempting to diminish the independence of the National Electoral Institute (INE), an autonomous institution intended to remain non-partisan. Lopez Obrador contends that the INE is biased and plagued by corruption.

Since his victory in the 2018 presidential race, Lopez Obrador has advocated for a restructuring of the INE, asserting that it will result in annual savings of $150 million for taxpayers through a significant reduction in the agency’s workforce.

The protest on Sunday in the historic square of the capital is the latest in a series of demonstrations in Mexico in recent years.

Due to constitutional restrictions limiting Mexican presidents to a single six-year term, Lopez Obrador cannot seek reelection. Instead, he is backing former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who currently holds the lead in opinion polls.

Ms. Sheinbaum, a member of Lopez Obrador’s ruling Morena party, officially entered the presidential race on Sunday by submitting her registration documents.

Source: Newsroom

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