PRI avoides costs of voting for higher taxes, gets benefit

The Senate passed the major revenue measures previously voted by the Chamber of Deputies, including a 1% increase in the value added tax.  The key vote was 53-28, with 7 abstentions. The PAN, PVEM, and one PANAL senator voted in favor; the PRD, PT, and Convergencia voted against. Most of the PRI senators left the Senate chamber prior to the vote and the seven who remained abstained, based on an agreement with the PAN. Commentators noted that the major beneficiaries of the VAT increase will be the state governors (mostly PRIistas), who will get one-third of the additional tax take.  A summary of the tax measures can be found here. Government Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont applauded the vote: “The agreements reached signify patriotic conduct by the actors; the federal government wants to recognize the will of the parties in putting the national interest ahead of politics.” (Universal 11/2)

Luz y Fuerza liquidation proceeds despite protests

The unionized workers of Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LFC), the state owned electrical utility ordered liquidated by President Calderón, mobilized an estimated 150,000 protestors in the Zocalo in a peaceful demonstration to demand a reversal of the decree.  The government agreed to negotiations, headed by Government Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont, but made clear that reversing the liquidation was not a option: “The Ministry of Government will establish a dialogue table in the ministry offices to explore alternatives for the reinsertion of workers in the work force, as well as to give strict adherence to the rights of workers,” an official announcement said. Secretary of Labor Javier Lozano and Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz said the government would allot Ps. 500 million for worker retraining, educational grants, and other assistance, in addition to the Ps. 20 billion in labor indemnities already announced. In the first three days since the buyout was announced, 2,527 of the 44,000 LFC workers accepted the government’s offer. (Reforma 10/16)

Gómez Mont calls for second round elections

In his formal testimony before the Chamber of Deputies, Government Minister Fernando Gómez Mont called for a political reform that would include several measures already promoted by PRI Senate Leader Manlio Fabio Beltrones, including mechanisms for enhanced citizen participation, such as plebiscites or referenda, the reelection of mayors and congressmen, reducing the size of Congress, and greater accountability. Gómez Mont also put on the agenda second round elections in the event that no candidate achieved a majority of the vote. “The search for greater governability demands that we analyze if the second round is a useful mechanism to consolidate political legitimacy in our country,” Gómez Mont said. Beltrones seemed to dismiss the second round proposal, saying that it would only create “artificial majorities” and increase costs. (Excelsior 9/18, Reforma 9/20)G

Supreme Court weighs revoking military immunity for rights violations

The Supreme Court will consider a proposal from Minister José Ramón Cossío Díaz that members of the armed forces that commit crimes against civilians be tried in civilian courts rather than military tribunals. Last week Government Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont personally lobbied each of the 11 Ministers of the court against the proposal, arguing that it would risk the integrity of the armed forces and hurt the war against drug traffickers. The court is considered sharply divided on the issue. Columnist Denise Dresser noted, “The number of accusations of human rights violations committed by the Army has grown 600% in the last two years, to 140 per month. The war against drugs is becoming a serious problem for the civilian population, which ought not to be minimized or classified as ‘collateral damage.’  The military is capturing drug bosses, but it is also violating individual rights. The fight against crime is generating its own form of criminality.” (Universal 8/10, Reforma 8/10)

Gómez Mont responds to critics of Michoacán sweep

Government Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont answered critics of the massive operation last week in Michoacán during a press conference–only the second one of his tenure. 

The operation was carried out in order to close off any room for maneuver by the criminal organizations that seek to entangle, corrupt or pressure public officials. It was an action taken by the federal Government to support politicians and to say that we are here to defend politics from financial pressures or the extorsions of organized crime. … The timing of an investigation is set by the need to protect the innocent, to avoid alerting the guilty, and not to confuse society. The federal Government has the support of the state governments, and in this case the Governor of Michoacán has stated that this operation was necessary; I am in contact with [Governor] Leonel Godoy and he makes it his job not to slow down or frustrate [the investigation]. (Reforma 5/31)

Massive drug sweep in Michoacán strikes PRD hardest

In an unprecedented operation, federal police and the Army arrested 30 state and local officials in Michoacán for giving protection to the La Familia cartel. Those arrested included ten mayors (6 from the PRI, 2 PRD, and 2 PAN), a judge, and several police chiefs. The most prominent state official arrested was Citlalli Fernández, the former Secretary of Public Security of the state and close advisor to  Governor Leonel Godoy. The arrests were a deep blow to the PRD, which views Michoacán as one of its key bastions. Godoy was not given any advance notice of the sweep; only the next day did Government Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont state clearly that neither Godoy nor his predecessor, Lazaro Cárdenas Batel, was a target. PRI and PRD leaders met urgently with Gómez Mont the next day. PRD party president Jesús Ortega said, “We made clear to the Secretary that the PRD will not allow an issue of such importance as public security … to be used for electoral purposes.” This was the first time during the Calderón government that PRD leaders have visited the Ministry of Government offices.  (Universal 5/27, Excelsior 5/29)

PRI and PAN party leaders agree to debate

PAN leader Germán Martínez agreed to a challenge from his PRI counterpart, Beatriz Paredes, to debate the state of the nation and their respective parties’ policy proposals before the July elections. Martínez demanded a two-person debate, excluding the PRD and minor parties. No date or format has yet been agreed. This agreement follows on the heels of a call by Government Secretary Fernando Gómez Mont: “I encourage a debate in front of the nation by the principal political forces, and the federal government will be more than disposed to respond to its critics.”     (Universal 5/26)