Sheinbaum's Electoral Reform Sparks "Coup d'État" Accusations in Mexico

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced a new electoral reform initiative, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties who describe the move as a "coup d'état" against the nation's democratic institutions. The proposed reform targets the National Electoral Institute (INE) and the judiciary, aiming to consolidate government control over these bodies. During a press conference on June 24, President Sheinbaum stated, "The INE, from my point of view, overstepped its bounds in saying that there were votes that should not have been incorporated into the final result. That is the work of the Electoral Tribunal, not the INE." She further emphasized the need for electoral reform, citing concerns about the financial resources allocated to the INE and political parties. Opposition figures have voiced strong objections. Senator Ricardo Anaya of the PAN party asserted, "What the government wants, the fundamental objective of the government, and it must be said clearly, is total control in our country. It is the establishment of an authoritarian regime." He added that controlling the electoral authority is the final step for the government to control everything. Alejandro Moreno, National Leader of the PRI, echoed these concerns, stating that the reform, though its specifics are not yet fully known, aims to "threaten, scare, limit electoral competition and political participation." He warned that past attempts from the previous administration sought to "destroy democracy, competition, equity, and obviously, now, to further subjugate the National Electoral Institute." The reform follows a significant fine imposed by the INE on Sheinbaum's Morena party in 2024 for alleged campaign finance irregularities, which some observers suggest is a motivating factor behind the proposed changes.