Marcelo Ebrard Issues Ultimatum

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, challenged MORENA's presidential candidate election process before the party's National Commission for Honesty and Justice. Ebrard also announced that he will create his own National Political Movement and stressed that his permanence in MORENA will depend on whether the party accepts his request.

In a 40-page brief, Ebrard has requested the annulment of MORENA's internal poll results, arguing that there were many deficiencies in the process. For example, he argues that the commission had a shortage of coordinators, which affected the delivery of materials and therefore prevented the poll from being conducted in a timely manner. He also points out that there were cases of violence, electoral harassment and conditioning of social programs, among others. Ebrard demanded that, in addition to invalidating the results, investigations and procedures be carried out against those who violated MORENA's bylaws.

"The behaviors listed incur in acts that are fully punishable according to the stipulated in Art. 53 of MORENA's current statutes. In summary, the irregularities exposed here indicate that it was a partial exercise in which serious actions occurred," denounced Ebrard.

The former minister also issued an ultimatum to MORENA, saying that if his case is not investigated, he will resign from the party. "It is not an outburst; it is a conviction. We are waiting for MORENA's response; they must give it in the next few days. If, from their point of view, all the irregularities we have presented did not occur, then I will not continue participating in the party because I do not endorse those conducts," said Ebrard.

Ebrard also announced that on Sep. 18 he will formalize his political movement Progressive Movement, which will include members of MORENA, PT and PVEM. In addition, he announced that he will meet with his supporters throughout the country to explain his next moves. 

What Happened With MORENA's Internal Election?
MORENA's candidate selection was based on the results of the party’s main poll and four additional mirror polls, conducted from Aug. 30 to Sep. 4. Following the counting of the ballots, MORENA’s National Council detailed that the results of its poll, conducted by the party's Center for Social Statistical Studies Commission, showed Claudia Sheinbaum in the lead with 39.4% of the votes, followed by Marcelo Ebrard (25.6%), Gerardo Fernández Noroña (12.2%), Adán Augusto López (10%), Ricardo Monreal (6.5%) and Manuel Velasco (6.3%).

While MORENA summoned the six candidates to announce the results, former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard decided not to attend the meeting in protest. Hours before the results were announced, Ebrard sent a message to the media asking MORENA to invalidate the process and repeat the poll. In the absence of a response, Ebrard denounced the alleged incidents in the vote-counting process.