Date |
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February 15 |
Mexico's Recent Electoral Reform: A Change for the Better?
In the wake of the disputed 2006 presidential election, the Mexican Congress passed a fiercely debated electoral reform bill in September 2007. The bill amended the Mexican Constitution and modified the federal electoral code (COFIPE)—through which all federal elections in Mexico are regulated. Some areas which were reformed pertained to political campaigns and primaries, the organization and role of political parties, public campaign finance, the role of the media, as well as punitive measures. Supporters of the bill argued that the electoral reform strengthens Mexican electoral democracy, particularly from the standpoint of limiting the influence of money and interests groups in Mexican elections. Critics of the bill argued that it limits civil liberties and political rights of Mexican citizens, and strengthens the control of the major political parties. The bill, which went into effect on January 14, 2008, will regulate the 2009 mid-term and 2012 presidential elections. Sergio Sarmiento, columnist at Reforma newspaper; Jeffrey Weldon, professor at the ITAM; and Raúl Ã?vila, professor at UNAM discussed these events and answered questions from the audience.
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January 31 |
Presentation by Genaro GarcÃa Luna, Secretary of Public Security of Mexico
Since taking office on December 1, 2007, President Felipe Calderón has initiated a frontal campaign against organized crime, including drug cartels, human trafficking networks and money laundering rings. The heavily-armed drug cartels have in turn unleashed a wave of violence against Mexican law enforcement. To boost the Mexican Government’s security capability, President Calderón introduced legislation proposing to reorganize the country’s law enforcement agencies, merging them under the Secretariat of Public Security, directed by Secretary GarcÃa Luna. The Secretariat is also slated to benefit from U.S. technical assistance through the Plan Mérida initiative. Secretary GarcÃa Luna answered questions from the audience following his presentation.
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