The 2000 national elections resulted in the first peaceful transfer of presidential power between parties since the nineteenth century as the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) candidate conceded defeat. In 2006 elections, two former opposition parties – the National Action Party (PAN) and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) – were the top two finishers in the presidential and legislative races. In the 2009 midterm elections, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) restored its congressional strength and governorships in various states. The political experience gained by the governing and opposition parties, coupled with reforms, has made Mexico’s political system more competitive and open.
Mexican political parties have made significant progress toward internal reform over the past several years but there are still a number of factors that inhibit the ability of parties and their parliamentary groups to fully represent citizen interests in Mexico. These include: few established mechanisms for public participation in the policy-making process; the lack of effective linkages between parties and civil society groups; a low level of women’s political participation; and the limited degree of internal democracy, outreach and accountability within parties.
In 2004, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) established a field presence to work to address these concerns by helping to foster more accountable, responsive, transparent and effective political parties; strengthen the capacity of women candidates, party activists and leaders, and elected officials to compete in elections and govern effectively; and increase the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to engage and collaborate with political parties and governments in policy formulation.
Political Leadership Program
As part of a region-wide effort to support and renew political parties, NDI has worked with 80 emerging leaders from Mexico's three main parties to implement party reform projects. Current projects seek to improve constituent relations, inter-party communication and policy debate through the use of new technologies and social networks and strengthen party training academies.
Promoting Women’s Political Participation
While Mexican women are now beginning to make inroads into ever-higher positions of political leadership, many women still lack the access and skills they need to compete for political office on the same level as men and to succeed as elected officials. NDI is increasing the capacity of women party activists and leaders to run effective election campaigns by facilitating workshops on media management, message development, fundraising, time management, volunteer recruitment and the use of new technologies. Furthermore, NDI is helping political party gender wings and civic groups focused on women’s political rights to mainstream gender issues within their institutions and advocate to eliminate gender discrimination in politics.
Support for Civil Society
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Mexican civil society to engage elected officials and political parties more effectively and encourage greater responsiveness to citizen needs, NDI offers technical assistance to civic groups and Disability Persons Organizations (DPOs) on skills essential to political advocacy.
Security Sector Reform
Currently, NDI is working with civic groups interested in public security issues to maximize their impact in decision-making on security policy at the local or state level. Program activities include hosting forums between civic leaders and candidates on public security issues as well as with committees in local legislatures considering draft legislation. These initiatives allow civic leaders to engage with government officials to better monitor and develop proposals regarding public security policies, such as police reform and services for victims of crimes.
