Ernesto Zedillo He reiterated his criticism against President Claudia Sheinbaumwhich were published in the American newspaper The Washington Post; “Democracy will be destroyed by AMLO’s legacy“said the former PRI member.
After the approval of Morena’s constitutional supremacy in the Congress of the Union to “shield” the reform of the JudiciaryErnesto Zedillo reappeared to affirm that the mood around the first president in the history of Mexico must be “moderate.”
“As president, she appears to be committed to his predecessor’s goal of reverting Mexico to a single-party autocracy“, stated Ernesto Zedillo in his publication regarding the reform of the Judiciary that continues its process as part of the Political Constitution.
Ernesto Zedillo says he put an “end to the anomalies” in the Judiciary with reforms from 1994 to 1996
Ernesto Zedillo compared his administration with that of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), which is why he said that in his six-year term “put an end to the anomalies” in the Judiciary of the Federation (PJF) with the reforms that it promoted between 1994 and 1996.
“During that period, Congress and the judiciary were subordinate to the president. The reforms enacted from 1994 to 1996, which I promoted, put an end to these anomalies, allowing Mexico to become a multiparty democracy with regular governments, alternation of power and an independent judiciary that, on many occasions, has respected constitutional principles. against reckless measures by other branches of government”
Ernesto Zedillo
In that sense, it is worth remembering that on January 1, 1995, Ernesto Zedillo closed the SCJN, marking the time in which he reformed the Political Constitution in 26 days and promulgated reforms to 20 constitutional articles. Under that context, appointed the 11 ministers of the SCJNcreated the Federal Judiciary Council (CJF) and appointed half of the first instance judges.
However, Zedillo insisted that it was AMLO who sought to dismantle the Judiciary during his administration. He also recalled that the approval of the reform of the Judicial Branch had the vote of Miguel Ángel Yunes Márquezsenator of the PAN, who said that he was copied:
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, often called AMLO, decided to dismantle the independent judiciary and institutions responsible for organizing fair elections by using an unconstitutional interpretation of the electoral process, representation rules to increase his party’s numbers in the lower house and apparently buy the “vote of a senator by promising him and his family impunity for serious crimes”
Ernesto Zedillo
Ernesto Zedillo says that Claudia Sheinbaum “should use her mandate to stop the democratic regression” of AMLO
Ernesto Zedillo closed his publication in The Washington Post making him a recommendation to Claudia Sheinabum about her way of governing, but said she accepted that the president “has redoubled her support for AMLO’s antidemocratic scheme.”
“He even emulated their tactics of slandering, insulting and threatening both the judiciary as an institution and individual judges, as well as others who have criticized the amendments. He also advocates that the government ignore judicial rulings.”
Ernesto Zedillo
In sum, Zedillo said that the Sheinbaum actions will not bring good governance for Mexico, which is why he made the following recommendation:
“He should use his mandate to stop the democratic regression orchestrated by AMLO, whatever his motivation, and initiate a genuine and comprehensive reform process to achieve a true rule of law and citizen security in Mexico.”
Ernesto Zedillo
“She must decide between honoring his loyalty to AMLO or the will of the people Mexican to live in democracy,” stated the former PRI member.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Ernesto Zedillo
Editor: Good day, Ernesto Zedillo, and thank you for joining us today. You’ve recently voiced serious concerns regarding President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration and the legacy of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also known as AMLO. Could you elaborate on your main criticisms?
Zedillo: Thank you for having me. My primary concern is that the direction in which AMLO has taken the country threatens the very fabric of our democracy. democracy will be destroyed by AMLO’s legacy. This shift towards a single-party autocracy, which I believe Sheinbaum is committed to continuing, stands in stark contrast to the multiparty democracy I helped establish during my presidency.
Editor: In your recent article, you mentioned the reforms you implemented between 1994 and 1996 that aimed to strengthen the judiciary. Can you tell us more about those initiatives and how they compare to the current judicial reforms proposed by Sheinbaum?
Zedillo: Absolutely. During my presidency, I implemented crucial reforms that ended the anomalies within the judiciary that had allowed Congress and the judiciary to be subordinate to the president. These changes promoted an independent judiciary, enabling a system with regular governments and the alternation of power. Conversely, AMLO’s administration seems intent on dismantling these very institutions, which could undermine the checks and balances vital for our democracy.
Editor: That’s quite a bold statement. You likened Sheinbaum’s presidency to a continuation of AMLO’s policies. Why do you think she isn’t breaking from his legacy, and what steps would you recommend she take to steer Mexico back towards a more democratic system?
Zedillo: Sheinbaum’s lack of moderation and her apparent commitment to uphold her predecessor’s vision is worrisome. For her to alter this course, she must prioritize rebuilding the independent judiciary and respecting the separation of powers. This includes not only protecting the judiciary from political influence but also establishing fair and transparent electoral processes.
Editor: You’ve pointed out how the recent judicial reforms have received mixed reactions, even from within Congress. Do you believe it’s too late for Mexico, or do you see hope for reinstating these democratic principles?
Zedillo: While the situation is indeed precarious, I do believe there’s still hope. It requires both strong political will and civic engagement from the public. If citizens demand accountability and transparency from their leaders, it could lead to a renewal of democratic processes. Our citizens must be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their rights.
Editor: In your article, you mentioned a disturbing allegation that AMLO may have tried to “buy the vote” of a senator. Can you contextualize this remark for our readers?
Zedillo: Yes, during the recent discussions about judicial reforms, it was explained that AMLO allegedly offered protective measures in exchange for support on critical votes. This kind of tactic undermines not only the integrity of our governance but also raises questions about the legitimacy of the legislative process. Such actions are reminiscent of practices in authoritarian regimes where political favors blur ethical lines and compromise democracy.
Editor: what message would you like to convey to the Mexican citizens who might feel disillusioned by the current political climate?
Zedillo: I would urge them to remain engaged and informed. History has shown that democracies thrive when citizens participate in the process. They should demand accountability from their leaders and advocate for the independence of institutions. Change is possible, but it requires collective effort and vigilance to uphold the democratic values we cherish.
Editor: Thank you, Ernesto Zedillo, for your insights and for sharing your views on such critical issues. We hope to see a renewed commitment to democracy in Mexico in the coming years.
Zedillo: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these vital topics. The future of Mexico depends on our actions today.