Sheinbaum Faces Setback, Vows to Revive Electoral Reforms

Mexico City – An electoral reform proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum was rejected Wednesday by lawmakers in the lower house of Congress. Critics labeled the bill an attempt by the ruling party to consolidate power. The reform received 259 votes in favor and 234 against, falling short of the supermajority required for constitutional changes due to withheld support from key allies. Sheinbaum introduced the initiative in late February, stating it would strengthen democracy, increase citizen participation, and reduce electoral costs by a quarter. The proposal included reducing Senate seats and increasing oversight of electoral bodies, with current system costs reaching $3.55 billion in 2024. This rejection marks the first legislative setback for Sheinbaum’s priority reforms. Less than 24 hours after the initial defeat, the President announced a “Plan B” to address electoral reform.