Tens of Thousands March for Democracy in Mexico, Targeting Governing Party Ahead of General Elections

Tens of Thousands March for Democracy in Mexico Amid General Elections

Tens of thousands of demonstrators clad in pink took to the streets in Mexico and around the world on Sunday in what they called a “march for democracy.” The aim was to challenge the ruling party as the country prepares for the general elections scheduled for June 2.

Opposition Parties Rally for Free and Fair Elections

Organized by Mexico’s opposition parties, the protests sought to advocate for free and fair elections in the Latin American nation. The demonstrators also strongly criticized corruption within the government while simultaneously registering presidential frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum as the candidate for the ruling party, Morena.

Varied Figures and Unverified Numbers

According to official government figures, approximately 90,000 people participated in the protests, directing their discontent against the leader. However, organizers have claimed that a staggering 700,000 people turned out in Mexico City. Unverified as of now, Al Jazeera could not independently confirm the actual size of the protests.

Sheinbaum’s Candidacy and Impending Challenges

Claudia Sheinbaum is widely seen as a presidential candidate in line with Mexico’s populist leader, 70-year-old Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. While he is largely revered by many voters for challenging the country’s elite parties in 2018 and championing the working class, he also faces allegations of endangering Mexican democracy.

Attacks on Democracy and Slashing of Funding

President Lopez Obrador recently came under fire for reducing the funding of Mexico’s electoral agency, the National Electoral Institute (INE), a move that weakened the oversight of the campaign spending. The head of INE expressed concerns that this action could potentially “wind up poisoning democracy itself.” Demonstrators have adopted the agency’s color, pink, as a symbol of protest.

President’s Conflict with the Judiciary and Journalists

Lopez Obrador has frequently targeted journalists during lengthy press briefings and attacked Mexico’s judiciary, going as far as alleging the involvement of judges in a conservative conspiracy against his administration.

Protesters Send Strong Message

In Mexico City, thousands of people dressed in pink swarmed the main plaza, chanting “Get Lopez out,” while others carried signs proclaiming, “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

Presidential Popularity and Predictions

Despite the widespread dissent, opinion polls suggest that President Lopez Obrador remains highly popular and that his ally, Sheinbaum, is poised to secure a smooth path to the presidency.

President’s Response and Assurance of Fair Elections

Lopez Obrador has repeatedly dismissed the protests, claiming that his critics are not concerned about democracy and are organizing the march to restore the corrupt to power. He has maintained that there will be no electoral fraud in the upcoming elections and that he has not interfered with the democratic processes.

“It’s their democracy… the democracy of the corrupt. What we want is there to be democracy of the people. We don’t want power without the people. They’re the ones that establish an anti-democracy with electoral fraud,” said President Lopez Obrador.