Politics: Congress resumed on September 1, with no big surprises, as continuity is maintained with AMLO’s project
The second year of the current congressional period of sessions began on September 1 with no big surprises. Morena legislators provided a sneak preview of its agenda. Apart from the 2026 economic package (revenue law and expenditure budget for 2026), there are no new significant issues on the government agenda.
The most important bills are those already sent or soon to be sent to Congress by President Sheinbaum. These include bills dealing with criminal procedures, vape devices, genetically modified corn imports, and secondary legislation that further defines or amends already approved laws. The latter deal with issues such as strategic state-owned enterprises (Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission), women's rights and equality, rights of Indigenous communities, pensions for people with disabilities and unemployed youth, affordable housing, mandatory preventive imprisonment for new crimes not previously considered in this category, prohibition of reelection and nepotism, that is, direct-line relatives running for the same post as the outgoing official, and defense of national sovereignty. Furthermore, no new significant changes are expected in the economic package for next year. The main goal will be to maintain discipline in spending and reduce the deficit in public finances. All these bills are in line with and concretize the Sheinbaum administration’s continuity with AMLO’s policies.
The problem is that the opposition, especially the PRI and PAN, are weak and getting weaker. They are demoralized and have no perspective in the short, medium or long term. The opposition appears resigned to being on the side lines, impotent, and unable to reverse its march toward irrelevance. Its dire situation is exacerbated by Morena’s refusal to engage in dialogue, listen to or incorporate anyone else’s ideas and proposals. In fact, Morena’s attitude toward the opposition is one of disdain, public recriminations and attacks, and a go-it-alone approach.
Can Morena pull it off? Despite mini-scandals involving some of its legislators and officials, the party’s poll numbers are impressive, with Sheinbaum’s approval ratings at 70% or more. But a poor economic performance, whatever the cause, could seriously erode the ruling party’s up-to-now continued support among workers and the poor.
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