The Americas | Shaky democracy

Mexico’s government has attacked the country’s electoral watchdog

Mass protests since have rattled Andrés Manuel López Obrador

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Isaac Esquivel/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (13784208e)A banner reads 'Don't touch the INE, homeland and freedom' as thousands of people demonstrate in defense of the National Electoral Institute (INE) and against the electoral reform promoted by the country's president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on the esplanade of the Zocalo in Mexico City, Mexico 26 February 2023. Thousands of citizens, including 80 Mexican organizations, filled the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, to call on the Mexican Supreme Court to reverse the controversial electoral reform 'Plan B' of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, which they accuse of putting at risk the autonomy and reliability of the elections leading up to the 2024 presidential elections.Protesters ask the Mexican Supreme Court to reverse electoral 'plan B', Mexico City - 26 Feb 2023
An unholy rowImage: REX Shutterstock
|Mexico City

The popularity of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is remarkably sticky. His approval rating rarely falls below 60%. While voters express discontent with the state of the economy and security, they tend not to blame the person in charge. His attacks on Mexico’s electoral agency could change that.

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This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Shaky democracy”

From the March 4th 2023 edition

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