🇲🇽 PRI falls as new party rises in Mexico | Al Jazeera English

Summary

Evita Gonzales, like many Mexicans, has long supported the ruling PRI party, hoping for improvements in her community. However, years of unfulfilled promises, corruption, and disconnection from the people have led her and others to turn away from the PRI. The party suffered massive losses in recent elections, including its historic stronghold, Atlacomulco. Meanwhile, the new party Morena, led by President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has risen to power, promising change and a focus on tackling corruption and poverty. Despite concerns about unchecked power, many voters are willing to give Morena a chance.

Takeaways

• 😕 Evita Gonzales, like many others, has repeatedly voted for the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) but feels let down by unfulfilled promises.
• 🚧 The PRI promised infrastructure improvements and subsidies but failed to deliver over many years, leaving voters disillusioned.
• 😡 Many Mexicans, including Evita, are now turning their backs on the PRI due to its history of broken promises and inefficiency.
• 📉 The PRI faced massive losses in the recent election, losing over three-quarters of its congressional seats and the presidency.
• 🏛️ The losses were especially significant in Atlacomulco, a PRI stronghold, where the party had never lost before, despite the fact that former leaders like President Peña Nieto hailed from there.
• 💸 The PRI's reputation for corruption and its disconnection from the electorate has driven many voters away.
• ⚖️ Many Mexicans are tired of a corrupt political class unable to address rampant crime and poverty, leading to a major political shift.
• 🌊 In this election, the leftist party Morena, founded by president-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador, rose to power with a majority in both Congress and the Senate.
• 💼 Morena's majority is expected to help López Obrador enact significant reforms, including tackling corruption and increasing spending on vulnerable populations.
• 🤔 However, there are concerns about Morena's control of Congress, which could lead to a lack of checks and balances under the leadership of a populist figure.

Q & A

Who is Evita Gonzales, and what is her situation?

Evita Gonzales is a resident of Mexico who has consistently voted for the country's ruling party, the PRI, in the hope that it would repair her community's roads and fulfill its promises of subsidies to her family. However, after years of disappointment, she has lost faith in the party.

What has been the PRI's relationship with Evita's community?

The PRI has historically held power in Evita's community, which is located in the PRI stronghold of Atlacomulco. However, despite promises, it has not delivered on infrastructure improvements or subsidies, leading to dissatisfaction.

What political shift is happening in Mexico according to the transcript?

The transcript describes a political shift where the PRI has lost a significant portion of its power, including over three-quarters of its congressional seats and the presidency, to a newer party, Morena, led by president-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

What are some reasons Mexicans are losing faith in the PRI?

Mexicans are losing faith in the PRI due to its reputation for corruption, its inability to address rampant crime and poverty, and its disconnection from the electorate.

What is Morena, and why is it significant in this election?

Morena is a relatively new political party, founded just four years ago by Andrés Manuel López Obrador. It gained a majority in both Congress and the Senate in the latest election, representing a major shift in Mexican politics.

What concerns are raised about Morena’s control of Congress?

There are concerns that Morena's control of Congress could lead to a lack of checks and balances, especially given the party's individualist, populist leader, López Obrador.

What principles does Morena claim to follow?

Morena claims to follow three basic principles: don't rob, don't lie, and don't betray. These are meant to distinguish the party from the PRI, which has been marred by corruption.

What are the potential risks of Morena's rise to power?

The risks include concerns over the concentration of power around López Obrador and the potential lack of checks and balances on a fledgling party that is built around a populist leader.

What promises has López Obrador made as part of his campaign?

López Obrador has promised to tackle corruption and to spend more on supporting the most vulnerable in society.

How does the mayor-elect of Atlacomulco defend Morena from criticism?

The mayor-elect of Atlacomulco argues that Morena will not fall into the same trap as the PRI by emphasizing its commitment to the principles of honesty and transparency: not robbing, not lying, and not betraying the people.