Morena's Supermajority: Legislative Ambitions and Reforms Ahead

Mexico's ruling party, Morena, and its allies secured a supermajority in the lower house but fell short in the Senate. This allows Morena to push through significant constitutional reforms, despite opposition. Key proposals include controversial judiciary changes and electoral reforms. The aim is to implement changes by the end of September.

Mexico's electoral authority confirmed Friday that ruling party Morena and its allies will hold a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house, but barely miss a supermajority in the Senate for the new legislative term beginning in September. The INE ruled that Morena and allies secured 364 lower house seats, surpassing the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution without opposition consensus.

In the Senate, Morena will control 83 out of 128 seats, just shy of the two-thirds majority of 85 seats. 'The decision of INE's general council respects the will of the people,' Morena leader Mario Delgado said, pledging to continue the Fourth Transformation political project initiated by the current president.

The formal ratification follows opposition complaints that the ruling coalition should have fewer seats. These objections were based on an interpretation prioritizing representation by party rather than coalition.

INE's presiding counselor Guadalupe Taddei said during a seven-hour debate, 'The INE neither gives nor takes away seats; only the citizens can do this with their vote,' reflecting their commitment to democracy.

Morena aims to pass key constitutional reforms proposed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador starting September 1. Controversial judiciary and electoral reforms, including electing judges by popular vote and eliminating autonomous bodies, are slated before October 1, when Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico's first female president.

(With inputs from agencies.)