Tens of thousands protest Mexico's electoral law changes
NPR Online NewsDec 23, 2022
Mexico: Tens of Thousands March to Protest Electoral Overhaul
Image copyright: Associated Press [via NBC News]
The Facts
Huge crowds gathered across Mexico on Sunday to protest against Pres. Andrés Manuel López Obrador's government's decision to shrink the electoral authority — they reportedly marked the largest demonstrations against his administration so far.
This comes after Mexico's Congress last week passed a revamp of the National Electoral Institute (INE), a move that critics have argued will weaken the electoral system.
The Spin
Narrative A
Despite organizers exaggerating the numbers, the truth is that Sunday's marches against López Obrador's electoral reform were very limited. Though those who attended the demonstrations claim to want to transform the country, they are just anti-democratic reactionaries seeking to maintain privilege and injustice by promoting lies.
Narrative B
These protests are the last hope Mexico has to overturn the new electoral law championed by the populist López Obrador, which poses a real threat to the country's democracy. It is time for the EU and the US to step in — they should denounce this authoritarian push and protect Mexico's free and open society.
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