POLITICS IN MEXICO LUIS ESTRADA Spring quarter 2005

States won by each Presidential Candidate, 2000

MEXICO Federal Republic 31 States, 1 Federal District President, Congress (Lower-House: Representatives, Upper House: Senate), Supreme Court State Governors, Local Congresses (lower house)

Institutions: Congress (Arts ) Lower Chamber: Chamber of Deputies; Upper Chamber: Senate Chamber of Deputies: 300 SMDs, 200 PR (5 regions) Senate: 64 Plurality, first formula; 32 Plurality, second formula; 32 PR (1 region)

5 Regions or ‘Circunscripciones’

Institutions: Chamber of Deputies 3-year term, no consecutive reelection Parties need at least candidates in 200 SMD and 2% of the valid vote No party can have more than 300 total No more than 8% of overrepresentation Yearly budget endorsement

Chamber of Deputies, (Casar 2001)

Institutions: Senate 6-year term, no consecutive reelection Foreign Policy (international treaties, approve President’s nominees (Attorney General, SC Justices, Mexico City Mayor Allows the President to leave the country

Institutions: Legislative Process Two session periods (Sep 1-Dec 15; Mar 15-Apr 30) Bill Sponsors? President; Deputies and Senators; State Legislatures Source Chamber - Review Chamber - Presidential Endorsement Constitutional amendments: 2/3 of both Chambers, Majority of State Legislatures

Institutions: President ( Arts ) Head of State & Head of Government Elected for a single six-year term (no reelection) Can: Name his cabinet, and ministers and attorney general (with approval of the Senate). Legislate. Budget. Cannot: Dissolve Congress (as a Primer Minister in Parliamentary Regimes)

Institutions: Supreme Court (arts ) 11 Justices, nominated by the President, approved by the Senate (2/3) 15-year tenure, no reelection Chief Justice is elected within the SC (4-year period) Solves controversies between different levels of government (federation vs. states; states vs. municipalities; executive vs. legislative; etc.)

Sources of Presidential ‘Meta- Constitutional’ Powers President is ‘weak’ relative to Congress President is ‘weak’ relative to Congress But appears strong for three main reasons: 1) Unified government; 2) President is the Party Leader; 3) Discipline within the Party of the President (Weldon 1997) But appears strong for three main reasons: 1) Unified government; 2) President is the Party Leader; 3) Discipline within the Party of the President (Weldon 1997) Since 1997, 1) and 2) no longer apply Since 1997, 1) and 2) no longer apply

Constitutional Reforms,

Sponsors of Public Bills, (Weldon 2004)