International IDEA has been working in Mexico for over a decade.
Following the landmark presidential elections in 2000 and the controversial 2006 elections when Felipe Calderón Hinojosa was declared president securing victory over the leftist candidate by barely a half-percentage-point, the need for an electoral reform in Mexico was strikingly evident.
In July 2007, International IDEA became formally involved in the reform process through a cooperation agreement with the President of the Senate and head of the Executive Commission for the Negotiation and Ratification of Agreements for State Reform, a body born out of the State Reform Act.
At that time, the agreement reflected the need to restore legitimacy to Mexican electoral institutions, long undermined by post-electoral conflict, and the need to update the rules and principles of electoral competition. There were also proposals to reform the presidential system of government.
At the Executive Commission’s request, International IDEA provided specialized technical assistance and organized a seminar on the sensitive issues of political party financing and auditing, as well as access to electronic media. In November 2007 a sweeping constitutional reform was approved which balanced the principles of electoral freedom and equality through various measures: a change in the party funding formula, reinforcement of audits, the absolute prohibition of purchasing air-time in electronic media and new powers for electoral bodies to supervise and sanction illicit behaviour and legal infractions. Essentially, the electoral campaign and political communication models were changed. Yet some aspects remained unregulated and the system of government was left untouched.
When this legislation was put to the test during the 2009 midterm federal elections, various technical evaluations (some provided by International IDEA) revealed the need to introduce adjustments and for supplementary legislation. Furthermore, in 2010 political forces, as well as President Calderón himself, initiated negotiations and proposed initiatives to reform the government and party systems.
The cooperation with the Mexican Senate was renewed in April 2010 following visits by International IDEA’s Secretary-General, Vidar Helgesen in December 2009, and meetings with Mexican senators. As a result, the Senate – through consensus, headed by current president Carlos Navarrete – has written to IDEA asking for support in strengthening the constitutional and legal reform currently underway.
A cooperation agreement was signed, ensuring the provision of technical support and specialized comparative knowledge in order to enrich reform initiatives.
Specifically, International IDEA has agreed to incorporate technical input into legislative decision making that will help strengthen certain aspects of the reform agenda, such as electoral issues, the relationship between the executive and legislative branches and the creation of a political party law.
As part of these efforts, International IDEA is organizing a seminar to take place in the Senate this August (2010) in which international experts, legislators, electoral officials and Mexican academics are expected to participate.
The renewal of the cooperation programme with the Mexican Senate fulfils the objectives of its founding principles.
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