1. POLITICS IN MEXICO LUIS ESTRADA lmestrad@weber.ucsd.edu Spring quarter 2005

2. States won by each Presidential Candidate, 2000

3. MEXICO Federal Republic 31 States, 1 Federal District President, Congress (Lower-House: Representatives, Upper House: Senate), Supreme Court State Governors, Local Congresses (lower house)

4. Institutions: Congress (Arts. 50-79) Lower Chamber: Chamber of Deputies; Upper Chamber: Senate Chamber of Deputies: 300 SMDs, 200 PR (5 regions) Senate: 64 Plurality, first formula; 32 Plurality, second formula; 32 PR (1 region)

5. 5 Regions or ‘Circunscripciones’

6. Institutions: Chamber of Deputies 3-year term, no consecutive reelection Parties need at least candidates in 200 SMD and 2% of the valid vote No party can have more than 300 total No more than 8% of overrepresentation Yearly budget endorsement

7. Chamber of Deputies, 1947-1997 (Casar 2001)

8. Institutions: Senate 6-year term, no consecutive reelection Foreign Policy (international treaties, approve President’s nominees (Attorney General, SC Justices, Mexico City Mayor Allows the President to leave the country

9. Institutions: Legislative Process Two session periods (Sep 1-Dec 15; Mar 15-Apr 30) Bill Sponsors? President; Deputies and Senators; State Legislatures Source Chamber - Review Chamber - Presidential Endorsement Constitutional amendments: 2/3 of both Chambers, Majority of State Legislatures

10. Institutions: President ( Arts. 80-93) Head of State & Head of Government Elected for a single six-year term (no reelection) Can: Name his cabinet, and ministers and attorney general (with approval of the Senate). Legislate. Budget. Cannot: Dissolve Congress (as a Primer Minister in Parliamentary Regimes)

11. Institutions: Supreme Court (arts. 94-107) 11 Justices, nominated by the President, approved by the Senate (2/3) 15-year tenure, no reelection Chief Justice is elected within the SC (4-year period) Solves controversies between different levels of government (federation vs. states; states vs. municipalities; executive vs. legislative; etc.)

12. Sources of Presidential ‘Meta- Constitutional’ Powers President is ‘weak’ relative to Congress President is ‘weak’ relative to Congress But appears strong for three main reasons: 1) Unified government; 2) President is the Party Leader; 3) Discipline within the Party of the President (Weldon 1997) But appears strong for three main reasons: 1) Unified government; 2) President is the Party Leader; 3) Discipline within the Party of the President (Weldon 1997) Since 1997, 1) and 2) no longer apply Since 1997, 1) and 2) no longer apply

13. Constitutional Reforms, 1920- 2000

15. Sponsors of Public Bills, 1988-2000 (Weldon 2004)