1996-11-20 Local Press
Article Index
Summary of Local Press Clippings from Mexico
November 20, 1996, Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc.
DEMOCRACY
PRI Approves its own Reforms: Breaks Agreements
On November 14, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)-dominated Congress passed its own version of an electoral reform over the objections of the three opposition parties represented in Congress. After close to two years of negotiations between the government and the opposition parties, the PRI bench in the House of Representatives backtracked on 16 agreements reached during the negotiations In addition, they approved their own proposal for public financing of campaigns, which was about double the amount proposed by the opposition (see our comments from last week). One member of the PR' argued for reaching a consensus, but his fellow party members screamed insults at him and moved his seat to the opposition section of the House. (La Jornada, 15 November)
Zedillo Says Reform is Definitive; Opposition Disagrees
In a private breakfast with The Economist Conference, President Zedillo said that the electoral reform approved by his party in Congress last week is "definitive" and that there will not be another one during his term. Opposition party leaders disagreed however. National Action Party (PAN) leader Felipe Calderon said that this was a "transitional" reform, and it was up to Congress, not the Executive branch, to determine if there will be further reforms. Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for a re-initiation of the national dialogue in order address key issues that were not addressed in this "partial" reform. (Reforma, 16-17 November)
PAN National Convention
The conservative PAN held its 42nd National Convention this week, in which it worked on its strategy for the 1997 mid-term federal elections. The party claims that it now governs 33 million people in Mexico (over one third of the population). Party leader Felipe Calderon said that candidates for 1997 should be "the best woman or the best man" for the job, regardless of whether they are party activists. This is quite different from the PR' Convention, in which the party approved strict conditions for potential candidates - including at least ten years of party activism.
The PAN Convention also approved a legislative platform for 1997-2000, which Calderon said brought them closer to their goal of being a "centrist" party. In addition, the Convention agreed that the party would fight to reduce the value added tax from 1.5% to 7%. and for a new law governing the media (the current law dates back to 1917). The PAN is expected to chose its candidate for the new coveted office of Governor of the Federal District in February. (Reforma. 18 November).