Military Reform/Electoral Reform

Military Reform. President López Obrador condemned Guanajuato legislators for voting against his Military Reform which would allow the Armed Forces to patrol the streets until 2028.  

During the first two weeks in October, the Chamber of Deputies approved the constitutional reform with 339 votes in favor, 155 against and two abstentions. MORENA, PVEM and PT voted in favor of the modifications sent by the Senate. Among the changes is the fifth article that decrees the creation of a commission to would evaluate the performance of the armed forces. Consequently, the reform is sent to the 32 state congresses for its ratification. If approved by more than half it will enter into force. The opposition has accused the López Obrador government of militarizing the country and plans to file actions against the reform to have it suspended.

Electoral Reform. President López Obrador said that the people who will participate in next Sunday´s protest in favor of the National Electoral Institute (INE) will be able to reach Mexico City´s Zocalo. Moreover, he urged his supporters to stay at home and avoid any confrontation. López Obrador mentioned that those opposing his electoral reform want the corruption regime to continue in Mexico.

The new electoral reform proposes to change 18 articles and inserting 7 transitional ones. It seeks to replace the National Electoral Institute (INE), eliminate plurinominal deputies, reduce the number of federal legislators to 300 deputies and 96 senators, while implementing electronic voting, among other changes. Since López Obrador took office in 2018, he has insisted on eradicating corruption at the INE and at the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation (TEPJF) and seeks to transform them into true autonomous and democratic institutions. The president said that since the current electoral bodies have failed in their democratic duties, he sent a proposal to Congress to change its members and configuration.

Inflation for food basket products is set to decrease. The Federal Consumer Agency PROFECO foresees that the data of the National Consumer Price Index (INPC) for food and beverages will mark a slowdown in the inflationary process. Moreover, it assured a continuous decrease in the costs of the basic food basket in the country.