Mexico Central Government Institutions Modern Mexico City Seat

Mexico Central Government Institutions

Modern Mexico City • Seat of the national government of Mexico • Quintessential primate city • One in four Mexicans live in the metropolitan area

The Zócalo: Heart of the Primate City

Political Structure and Institutions § Nature of the regime? Three-party democracy evolving toward “true” democracy? § Hybrid: part-free, part authoritarian § Democratic breakthrough election of 2000 § On paper: a presidential system, three autonomous branches of government with checks and balances, and federalism with considerable autonomy at the local level § In practice: decision-making highly centralized; president dominated the legislative and judicial branches

National Executive of Mexico • Presidential term – 6 years • Calderon – won with a plurality of. 5% over his nearest rival • Immigration to the United States divisive issue • Power of drug cartels threatens the legitimacy of his government Felipe Calderon: President 2006 -2012

Senate Cámara de Senadores or Senado • Composed of 128 senators – Two for each of the 31 states – two for the Federal District – Elected under the principle of relative majority • Thirty-two national senators elected at-large • At large senators divided among the parties in proportion to their share of the national vote.

Senate of Mexico Party Composition • Main Senate Chambers at corner of Donceles and Xicotencatl Streets in the historic center of Mexico City. • PAN 52 (40. 6%) • PRD 33 (25. 8%) • PRI 29 (22. 7%) • Green 6 (4. 7%) • Others • 8 (6. 3%)

Chamber of Deputies of Congreso de la Unión • Popular legislative branch of the Mexican national government. • Structure and responsibilities are defined in the 1917 Constitution

The Chamber of Deputies • One "deputy" for every 200, 000 citizens. – 500 deputies as of 2006 election. • 300 -directly elected by plurality from singlemember districts • 200 "party deputies" assigned through proportional representation. • • • PAN • PRD • PRI 206 41. 2% 126 25. 2% 104 20. 8% • Green • Other 19 3. 8% 45 9%

Chamber of Deputies after 2006 Election • PAN has largest number of deputies – Lacks majority – Negotiations for alliances under way • PRD congressmen more open to cooperating with PAN than is Lopez Obrador • Once dominant PRI plays increasingly important role

Supreme Court of Mexico • Eleven members – President – 10 associate justices • 15 year terms • President nominates three candidates • Elected by two-thirds vote of senate • Not elgible for second term

ESTABLISHING THE RULE OF LAW A Work in Progress • Law traditionally enforced to favor powerful and wealthy • 1994 Zedillo judicial reforms – Power of judicial review expanded – Courts kept on short leash • Police often are participants in crime rate • Violence has increased and people in general don’t feel safe