Mexico Politics - statistics & facts

Mexico operates under a federal presidential republic system, wherein power is divided among the president, the Union Congress, and the Supreme Court of Justice. In terms of governance, Mexico follows a multiparty democratic structure overseen by the National Electoral Institute (INE), which independently regulates and organizes electoral processes, ensuring their integrity and dependability. The INE also assumes the responsibility of allocating public resources to political parties. In recent years, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) initiated a restructuring of INE, citing inadequate performance and excessive party funding. Notably, AMLO's party received the highest sum of money in 2023.

Voter turnout

Growing disillusionment with political parties, unified with concerns about the perceived wastefulness of political campaigns and corruption, has led to voter abstention in Mexico, more visible in Northern states. Many individuals feel that their vote does not effectively represent their interests and that resources could be better allocated to more pressing needs. This sentiment has resulted in a rise in the number of people abstaining from voting during elections. However, in the 2018 presidential election, there was an increase in voter turnout, with 56.6 million votes cast, representing 63 percent of the voting population.

The meteoric rise of MORENA

As the first left-wing political party to secure victory in Mexico's 2018 presidential election, led by AMLO, it has experienced remarkable growth since its establishment in 2012. This party emphasizes economic austerity, indigenous nationalism, LGBT rights, legal abortion, and anti-corruption measures. Despite Mexico's improved corruption index, the party has faced accusations of lacking transparency and obstructing access to information by the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Data Protection (INAI). Furthermore, this presidential term has witnessed the highest number of homicides and general unsafety in the country´s recent history. Notwithstanding these concerns, the party continues to enjoy significant popularity among the population, attributed to policies such as raising the minimum wage, implementing social programs, and eliminating presidential jurisdiction. Additionally, the party holds a majority representation in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The opposition coalition to regain power

Following their rivalry until 2020, the political parties PRI, PAN, and PRD joined forces to form the coalition "It´s for Mexico" to compete against the ruling party. This coalition aims to prioritize social causes, defend employment rights, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and combat violence against women. PRI, historically the party with the longest governance tenure, experienced a decline in popularity, with its last president, Enrique Peña Nieto, losing public favor in 2018. Shaped by factors such as the infamous case of the Ayotzinapa student disappearances, constitutional changes, and a history of governance failures. Despite both PRI and PAN being considered among the most corrupt parties in the country, they still hold significant representation in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, following MORENA. Both parties receive substantial campaign financing and had the two highest number of party members but struggle to regain trust and support of the people. PRD, on the other hand, has faced challenges in maintaining relevance after the departure of current President AMLO in 2012 to form his party.

2024 presidential race

As of June 2nd, 2024, Mexico is preparing for the upcoming presidential election, with 97.6 million registered voters. According to diverse polls, MORENA is expected to secure victory with 61 percent support. However, experts express concerns that once President AMLO leaves the party, it may face challenges in retaining its power, as many supporters may have been primarily drawn to the president himself. Nevertheless, if it becomes known that AMLO will continue to influence the party's decision-making processes from behind the scenes, it is anticipated that people will remain loyal to the party as a whole. Consequently, polls indicate support for Claudia Sheinbaum, the current Head of Government of Mexico City, as a potential presidential candidate, garnering more than half of the population's preference. On the opposition side, the coalition "It's for Mexico" is currently in the process of selecting their presidential candidates from each participating group. Among the contenders, Xóchitl Gálvez and Santiago Crill, both affiliated with PAN, are viewed favorably as potential candidates for the presidential nomination.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Feb 23, 2024

Key insights

Number of voters registered abroad
577.681
Age group with the highest amount of registered voters
65 years and older
Share of people that support democracy
43%
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