Lopez Obrador is the man to beat in Mexico in 2018

Significance Preliminary results of the elections held on June 4 in four states indicate that President Enrique Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) narrowly retained the key State of Mexico. In Coahuila state, the PRI appears to have narrowly defeated the conservative National Action Party (PAN), which won the governorship of Nayarit state comfortably, in coalition with the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). Veracruz state -- which only elected municipal authorities -- saw a significant expansion of non-PRI mayors elected, though only three were independents. Impacts The PAN and PRD may struggle to be competitive alone in 2018 vis-a-vis the PRI machinery or Morena’s outsider appeal. The PRD has yet to decide whether to continue its alliance with the PAN or seek a coalition with Morena ahead of 2018. The failure of independents to perform strongly in these elections suggest that they are unlikely to be competitive ahead of 2018.

Subject The June 5 state election results. Significance According to preliminary results, President Enrique Pena Nieto's ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) won only five of the twelve state gubernatorial elections held on June 5. In contrast, the conservative opposition National Action Party (PAN) won seven -- four on its own and three in coalition with the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), which did not obtain a single governorship by itself. The radical, leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) performed particularly well in Veracruz and Zacatecas, where it won between one-quarter and one-third of the vote, although it did not win any governorships. Impacts Alliances of ideological opposites PAN and PRD are electorally effective and may see them win the State of Mexico in 2017. Nevertheless, the PAN will have little incentive to join forces with a weak PRD for the presidential election in 2018. While Morena did not win any governorship, leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is now well positioned ahead of 2018.


Subject A profile of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Significance With presidential elections due to take place in July 2018, the leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) is the only party so far to have a confirmed candidate. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will run for a third time, having come second on both previous occasions -- in 2006 and 2012 with his former Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). With the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) losing popularity, Lopez Obrador now looks well positioned for victory. Impacts Lopez Obrador’s mayorship of Mexico City gives some indication of how he might govern. A reduction of petrol prices could quickly garner him favour. Rejection of an alliance with the PRD could lose him crucial votes in 2018.


Subject Morena's election prospects. Significance On April 17, newspaper Reforma published the results of a poll (conducted between April 7-10) revealing the leader of the new, leftist Movement of National Regeneration (Morena) Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to be the most popular candidate ahead of the 2018 presidential election. Although President Enrique Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) had the greater share of preferences, all its potential candidates came third after Lopez Oberador and former First Lady Margarita Zavala (2006-12) of the conservative National Action Party (PAN). Impacts While Lopez Obrador's popularity may boost Morena, conversely the party could hold him back, hindering his presidential chances in 2018. Coalitions with the PAN will boost the PRD's election hopes, but its failure to redefine itself may see it lose support to Morena. Morena's continued refusal to enter into coalitions could cripple the Mexican left for years to come.


Subject Mexico's main political parties have announced new leaders but none is likely to rejuvenate their party's fortunes. Significance Mexico's three main political parties announced leadership changes in August. President Enrique Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) confirmed the appointment of former Congressman Manlio Fabio Beltrones on August 20, and the conservative opposition National Action Party (PAN) elected Ricardo Anaya -- also a former legislator -- as its president on August 16. On August 6, Carlos Navarrete, head of the main leftist opposition Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), revealed that he was stepping down as leader following a disastrous electoral performance in the 2015 elections. Impacts Amid popular political disillusionment, all new leaders will face difficult conditions in leading their parties to victory in 2018. The new party presidents' abilities will be tested in the 2016 state elections, prior to the presidential election in 2018. The issue of PAN-PRD electoral alliances will fuel divisions within both parties, and may undermine the authority of their new leaders.


Subject Mexico City elections. Significance On July 1, Mexico City will elect a new head of government, 16 borough mayors and 66 representatives to the Legislative Assembly. Claudia Sheinbaum of presidential frontrunner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO)’s National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) is leading the race for the governorship, pushing Alejandra Barrales of the incumbent Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) into second place. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)’s Mikel Arriola, is running third. Impacts A Sheinbaum victory would bring some policy continuity with previous left-wing PRD governments. Contracts agreed during the current administration (particularly for refuse management and urban development) may be reviewed. Defeat in Mexico City would be devastating for the PRD, which is also in danger of losing Tabasco and Morelos to MORENA.


Significance The conservative National Action Party (PAN) came in second place, while the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) lost ground to the more radical National Regeneration Movement (MORENA). The PRI also held on to three of the states it controlled, and recovered the governorship of two more, including the conflictive state of Guerrero. It took Sonora from the PAN, which managed to retain Baja California Sur and won Queretaro from the PRI. The PRD won only one governorship race, in Michoacan. Impacts Fears that the new INE would fail amid poor security conditions did not materialise, validating the institution. If the PRI does not gain a majority, to pass legislation it will require PAN votes, which will come at a hefty price. The PRD faces a difficult period during the 2015-18 legislature as MORENA's arrival has split the leftist vote.


Significance A January 18 Reforma survey showed President Enrique Pena Nieto’s popular approval rating to have plummeted to 12%, from 24% in December. With US President Donald Trump’s first days in power suggesting turbulent times ahead, Pena Nieto’s government looks set to struggle. Impacts The remainder of Pena Nieto’s administration will see governability problems that could exacerbate crime and economic hardship. The outcome of June’s four state elections will have a significant impact on the presidential elections of 2018. Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) is unlikely to win in 2018. The conservative National Action Party (PAN) has the potential to succeed the current government if it avoids internal strife. The radical leftist National Regeneration Movement (MORENA)’s Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will benefit from PRI weakness.


Significance A vote intention poll carried out by Buendia & Laredo and published on February 23 shows the conservative opposition National Action Party (PAN) well positioned ahead of the June 7 mid-term elections. The survey shows that support for the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) plummeted by 12 percentage points since its previous poll of November 2014 and is currently only four points above the PAN's vote intention levels, which increased by three points to reach 26%. Impacts PAN voting intentions fall within its historical range, showing its inability to capitalise on the loss of support for its main rivals. However, with many voters undecided, there is some scope for the PAN's support to grow as campaigning starts in April. The election outcome will have a significant impact on the balance of power between the party's main factions. Zavala's bid to contest the PAN's leadership in November will depend largely on the party's electoral success in June.


Significance The embarrassing jailbreak tarnishes the mandate Mexico's mid-term election gave the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto to consolidate its reform programme. Furthermore, while the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) -- in alliance with the Mexican Green Party (PVEM) and New Alliance Party (PANAL) -- secured a simple majority in the Chamber of Deputies, overall trends show a steady decline of the PRI, and a failure to address some serious credibility gaps. Impacts The PRI's increasing dependence on alliance-building may preclude further fragmentation of Mexico's main parties. As corruption and human rights scandals intensify, PRI-PVEM-PANAL electoral prospects may suffer. El Chapo's escape will severely damage faith in Pena Nieto's ability to tackle insecurity.


Subject Corruption and the election. Significance Former Tamaulipas Governor Eugenio Hernandez Flores (2005-10) was arrested on October 6, on suspicion of corruption. He is the latest in a string of former governors -- mostly of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) -- to be detained. Public indignation at corruption has increased since September 4, when Animal Politico published the findings of an investigation suggesting that in 2013 and 2014 the federal government embezzled more than 7.6 billion pesos (406 million dollars). Sensitivities about this issue have led to mounting concern regarding the potential misuse of funds donated in the aftermath of September's earthquakes. Impacts Congress’s focus on 2018 budget talks will hinder progress on implementing the National Anti-Corruption system. Public sector corruption will not be significantly reduced under the current administration. Reports of misuse of donations following the earthquakes could trigger public unrest.


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