The Mexican Senate approved the so-called “Plan B” of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s electoral reform with 87 votes in favor and 41 against, but the proposal to include a presidential recall referendum in 2027 was removed after opposition from the Labor Party (PT).
Key Details of the Senate Vote
- Date of approval: March 26, 2026
- Votes: 87 in favor, 41 against (qualified majority reached)
- Main outcome: Electoral reform passed, but recall referendum (revocación de mandato) excluded.
- Reason for exclusion: PT opposed changes to Article 35 of the Constitution, keeping current rules intact.
Main Components of “Plan B”
- Municipal Councils (Art. 115):
- Municipalities under 60,000 residents → max 7 councilors.
- Up to 800,000 residents → max 12 councilors.
- Large metropolitan areas → max 15 councilors.
- Only one syndic per municipality is allowed.
- State Congress Budgets (Art. 116):
- Local legislatures cannot spend more than 0.7% of the annual state budget.
- Remuneration & Austerity (Art. 134):
- No electoral official (INE or tribunals) may earn more than the President of the Republic.
- Bonuses, private medical insurance, and special savings funds are prohibited.
Political Reactions
- Opposition parties celebrated the removal of the recall referendum, calling it a victory for constitutional stability.
- Ignacio Mier, head of the Senate’s Political Coordination Board, insisted the coalition of Morena-PVEM-PT remains intact, despite PT’s partial dissent.
- Mier argued the reform strengthens social spending and austerity without undermining federalism.
Implications
- The reform reshapes local governance and electoral spending, aiming to reduce costs and align salaries with austerity principles.
- The recall referendum debate remains unresolved, leaving current constitutional provisions untouched.
- The approval consolidates Sheinbaum’s legislative agenda, though opposition sees the PT’s stance as a sign of cracks in the ruling coalition.
The Senate’s approval of “Plan B” marks a significant step in Mexico’s electoral reform, prioritizing austerity and local government restructuring, while shelving the controversial recall referendum for 2027.
Source: El Universal
