Thousands March in Mexico and Abroad for Democracy Ahead of Elections
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Mexico and other countries on Sunday, clad in pink attire, to participate in what they called a “march for democracy.” The protests were aimed at the ruling party in Mexico, ahead of the country’s upcoming June 2 elections. The opposition parties organized these demonstrations to advocate for free and fair elections, as well as to denounce corruption. The timing of the march coincided with the registration of presidential front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum as a candidate for the ruling party Morena.
The massive turnout of approximately 90,000 people demonstrates the growing discontent with Sheinbaum, who is widely regarded as a continuation candidate of Mexico’s popular populist leader, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. While López Obrador is adored by many voters for challenging the country’s elite parties and representing the working class, concerns have been raised about his actions potentially endangering Mexico’s democracy.
One such action was the reduction of funding for the National Electoral Institute, Mexico’s electoral agency, by López Obrador. This move was accompanied by a weakening of oversight on campaign spending, which raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The National Electoral Institute’s color, pink, has become a symbol for the demonstrators.
Furthermore, López Obrador has been criticized for his attacks on journalists during lengthy press briefings. He has also frequently targeted Mexico’s judiciary, accusing judges of being part of a conservative conspiracy against his administration. These actions have fueled fears that the president is undermining democratic principles.
In Mexico City, thousands of people dressed in pink gathered at the main plaza, chanting “get López out.” Protesters held signs proclaiming that “the power of the people is greater than the people in power.” Gabriel Ozuna, a participant from Baja California state, expressed her concerns about attacks on candidates by drug cartels, particularly in local elections. Ozuna emphasized the importance of defending democracy and called for continued efforts to protect it.
Various opposition organizations, including the National Civic Front, Yes for Mexico, Citizen Power, Civil Society Mexico, UNE Mexico, and United for Mexico, joined the marches. Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, a prominent politician from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which held power in Mexico for over 70 years, stressed the significance of democracy in addressing societal issues. He urged people to join the protests, emphasizing that while democracy may not solve all problems, it is a crucial foundation for progress.
The demonstrations were not limited to Mexico alone. Marches were organized in a hundred cities across the country, as well as in the United States and Spain. Despite the widespread protests, President López Obrador remains highly popular, and opinion polls indicate that his ally Sheinbaum is likely to secure an easy victory in the upcoming elections.
López Obrador has dismissed the protests, accusing his critics of seeking to return corrupt individuals to power. He has maintained that there will be no electoral fraud in the upcoming election and denied any interference in democratic processes. The president’s response reflects his belief in a democracy that prioritizes the voice and power of the people rather than allowing corruption to prevail.
The “march for democracy” serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of free and fair elections in Mexico. It highlights the concerns surrounding corruption and potential threats to democratic institutions. As the country prepares for the June 2 elections, the voices of these protesters echo the desire for a democracy that truly represents the people’s interests and safeguards their rights.