Thousands of Mexicans poured into the streets of the capital on Sunday, in a show of defiance against the government’s attempt to overhaul the electoral system. The protesters, waving flags and banners, accused President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of trying to weaken the National Electoral Institute (INE), the independent body that oversees elections in the country.
The president, who won a landslide victory in 2018, has long been critical of the INE, claiming that it is biased and corrupt. He has proposed to slash its budget and staff, saying that it will save taxpayers money and make the elections more transparent. But his opponents fear that he is trying to undermine the INE’s autonomy and influence the outcome of the upcoming presidential election in June, in which he is backing his ally and former Mexico City mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum.
The protesters, who came from different political parties and social movements, chanted slogans such as “Hands off the INE” and “Democracy yes, dictatorship no”. They filled the historic Zocalo Square and spilled over into the surrounding streets, creating a sea of colors and noise. Some organizers claimed that over 500,000 people participated in the rally, while the local government estimated the number at 90,000.
The protest was the largest so far against López Obrador’s administration, which has faced criticism for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy, and security issues. The president, who enjoys high popularity ratings, has dismissed the protesters as a minority of conservatives and elites who are opposed to his social and economic reforms.
But the protesters say they are not against the president, but against his attack on democracy. They say they are defending the INE, which they consider a pillar of Mexico’s democratic transition after decades of authoritarian rule. They also say they are fighting for the rights of millions of Mexicans who want to vote freely and fairly in the next election.
Will the president listen to their demands and respect the INE’s independence? Will the Supreme Court intervene and rule on the constitutionality of the electoral reform? Or will the protesters be able to mobilize more people and pressure the government to change course? These are some of the questions that will shape Mexico’s political future in the coming months.
