Mexico City Deputies Approve Dissolution of Key Social policy Evaluation Body
Mexico City – In a move sparking both praise and condemnation, the Chamber of Deputies has approved a reform dissolving the National council for the Evaluation of Social growth Policy (Coneval), transferring its responsibilities to the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (INEGI). The decision, reached during an extraordinary session, passed with 353 votes in favor from the Morena, PT, and PVEM parties, and 126 votes against from the PAN, PRI, and Citizen Movement.
The approved legislation encompasses amendments to laws governing social development, the federal budget, fiscal responsibility, and general government accounting. A key change establishes that INEGI will now be responsible for measuring poverty and evaluating social development policies, aligning with existing constitutional provisions.
proponents of the reform argue it will eliminate functional duplication and promote governmental austerity. “This initiative does not walk alone,” stated a member of the majority block, Merilyn Gómez Pozos, President of the Budget Commission. “It is indeed linked to constitutional and legal reforms that seek to simplify procedures, digitize services, reduce costs and create more attractive environments for capital and job creation.” She further emphasized that the evaluation process would not be eliminated, but rather “expands and democratized; it is not isolated, it is articulated.”
However, opposition lawmakers have sharply criticized the move, characterizing it as a setback for the evaluation of social programs. Héctor Saúl Téllez, representing the PAN, described the reform as detrimental to measuring the effectiveness of government social policy. He argued the dissolution of coneval stems from the current administration’s discomfort with scrutiny of its flagship programs, such as “Sowing Life” and scholarships for older adults, notably in light of reported increases in poverty between 2018 and 2020. “The Federal Government does not like counterweights or autonomous bodies,” Téllez asserted. He also pointed to what he called the “incongruity” of some legislators – including Dolores Padierna and Adam Augusto López – who previously voted in favor of Coneval’s autonomy in 2014.
Amadeo Espinoza, from the labor Party, countered thes claims, stating the decision reflects a commitment to rational public spending and is not motivated by retribution.
The legislation passed with 348 votes in favor and 132 against and has been sent to the Senate for further consideration. Upon enactment, the reform stipulates that Coneval’s budget and resources will be transferred to INEGI. Existing Coneval staff will have their employment terminated according to legal guidelines, while INEGI will hire personnel based on budgetary availability and organizational needs.
The shift in responsibility raises questions about the future of independent social policy evaluation in Mexico and the potential impact on clarity and accountability.
