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Mexico: Discussing the Possibility of Recall Elections

Categories: Latin America, Mexico, Citizen Media, Digital Activism, Governance, Politics

For a number of weeks, the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico has been discussing a political reform [1] that would, according to those in favor of the measure, change the regulations of the Mexican political game and shift the balance of power more towards the citizenry.

On October 25, 2011, after its passage in the Chamber of Deputies committees, the initiative finally reached the floor. However, it lacked elements that its supporters considered essential, such as the reelection of mayors and legislators, and the “recall of the mandate”, most commonly known as recall elections [2].

This last point was discussed with exceptional intensity in the Chamber and on social networks on October 25.

Recall election

The possibility of implementing recall elections has an echo of importance in a society that feels constantly attacked from many different fronts and furthermore does not feel represented, as Omar Bello [3] (@Think_Omy) expresses:

Pido #RevocaciondeMandato [4] para #JavierDuarte [5] el peor inicio de un gobierno estatal en #Mexico [6] #VerFollow [7] #InfoVeracruz [8]

I ask for a #RecallElection for #JavierDuarte [9] the worst start of a state government in #Mexico [10] #VerFollow [11] #InfoVeracruz [12]

The initiative was blocked by a group of deputies from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI [13]), the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM [14]), and the New Alliance Party (PANAL [15]). This has been considered ironic by many, given the advertising campaign that the PRI has launched to call itself “the new PRI” and associate itself with new ideas and leadership, as Jorge Arturo Aguilar [16] (@Jorge_GuitarP) writes:

En el #nuevoPRI [17] no queremos #cosasnuevas [18] que afecten nuestros viejos intereses aunque beneficien los de ustedes” #RevocacionDeMandato [19]

In the #newPRI we don't want #newthings that affect our long-standing interests but benefit yours #RecallElections

Sandra GLG [20] (@sandybell08) asks the question that surely many Mexicans are asking themselves:

Si no tienen miedo de los ciudadanos y están seguros de su “buen” trabajo xq no aprueban #RevocacionDeMandato [19] ?? #YoMePregunto [21]

If they don't fear the citizens and are so certain of their “good” job, why don't they approve the #RecallElections?? #IAskMyself

And Doctora [22] (@doctora) tops off with:

¿Cómo hemos podido mantener una clase política tan podrida, tan cínica y tan insensible por tanto tiempo? #RevocacionDeMandato [19]

How have we been able to maintain a political class so corrupt, so cynical and so insensitive for so long? #RecallElections

The unity that PRI maintained in previous debates started to show certain weaknesses when some deputies distanced themselves from the party position, as Maite Azuela [23] (@maiteazuela) tells us:

3 diputados #PRI [24] votaron a favor de revocación de mandato Miguel García Granados, Manuel García Corpus y Ricardo Abued cc @salcamarena [25]

3 #PRI [24] deputies voted in favor of the recall elections Miguel García Granados, Manuel García Corpus and Ricardo Abued cc @salcamarena [25]

José Merino [26] (@PPMerino) expresses the irony of the situation:

Querid@s votantes, les negamos tener una democracia representativa en la que uds importen. Voten por nosotros en 2012. Atte, PRI-PVEM-PANAL

Dear voters, we won't allow you to have a representative democracy in which you matter. Vote for us in 2012. Sincerely, PRI-PVEM-PANAL.

Jesús Robles Maloof [27](@roblesmaloof), points out, with his characteristic precision, that,

Podemos apoyar a un partido, a otro o a ninguno, lo que no podemos permitir es que sigan concentrando tanto poder. #RevocaciondeMandato [4]

We could support one party, the other or none of them, what we can't allow is that they continue to concentrate so much power. #RecallElections

YONOFUI [28](@Yonofui) one of the young activists that supports this reform, after such an intense day in the Chamber of Deputies, signed off before going to sleep with a message for everyone:

Creo que lograremos que MX de ese paso hacia adelante, nos va a costar trabajo, pero es muy posible

I think Mexico will advance after this, we will have to work hard, but it is very possible.
Small image of the Chamber of Deputies by Tracy Wong [29] (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)