By Carola Rico
Carlos Olvera, San Miguel de Allende City Councilman for the National Regeneration Movement Party (MORENA) and Alma Alcaráz, the local legislative representative of the same party, discussed Mexico’s presidential referendum, which determined whether President Manuel López Obrador should complete his six-year term. The first national recall referendum ever held in Mexico, it took place on Sunday, April 10. For Olvera, the referendum to ratify or recall the president was an unprecedented democratic exercise. “Although we have an institution like the National Electoral Institute (INE) that throughout its history has been in the eye of the hurricane because of proceeding in a dubious manner, the referendum was carried out in a responsible, respectful, and orderly way. Undoubtedly, a precedent has been set so that in the future we citizens will be able to make the decision to ratify or recall our government officials during their term in office.
According to Olvera, this electoral process carries a certain degree of risk that the federal administration —as a government of democratic transformation— was willing to assume. Regarding the opposition, led by the National Action Party (PAN), he commented that its only option was to call on citizens not to participate in the referendum.
In Olvera’s opinion, for the first time in history the government worked hand in hand with its citizens. “With this referendum, we saw a democratic transformation where real democracy lies with the people.” He shared that “only 30 percent of ballot boxes were installed throughout the country, a marginal amount compared to the number set up for a constitutional election. In addition, voting was held on Palm Sunday, in the middle of the Easter vacation period.” According to Olvera, the INE chose April 10 because it was considered a date when there would not be much citizen participation. In fact, voter turnout was low at about 17.7 percent, and over 90 percent of counted votes supported President López Obrador.
Regarding President Manuel López Obrador’s achievements, Olvera pointed out the completion of the Felipe Angeles International Airport in fewer than two years. He compared this public work with the construction of La Cieneguita Bridge here in San Miguel, which, after a few years has still not been completed despite being under 500 meters long. For Olvera, it is better to have a leader whose accomplishments can be demonstrated with facts and transparency.
Olvera and Alcaraz addresses issues in San Miguel de Allende
Olvera recalled that for many years Mexico’s election process has been unreliable, while MORENA aspires to a true democracy. The important thing for his party, he says, is not public office, but to contribute what it can to the country’s transformation. In addition to serving as a councilman, Olvera undertakes informing constituents about the country’s major issues.
He noted that San Miguel has neighborhoods and communities that are marginalized and ignored by politicians. His commitment is “[…] to be where nobody wants to be, to take action, to provide support, to listen to the people. That real San Miguel is where the President has shown, by example, how to take action; he goes to places that are ignored and where support is most needed, and that’s my mission.”
Being an opposition city councilman is complicated, but Olvera said he is up to the task. If one door closes, he knocks on another to seek support for SMA’s citizens. He commented that based on firsthand contact with locals he understands their needs in the neighborhoods and communities that lack internet and basic services.
Alma Alcaráz, local legislator for MORENA, was in SMA days before the recall referendum to visit rural communities. In her opinion, if former President Enrique Peña Nieto had mandated this referendum, he would not have survived three years in office. She and other members of the party feel that President López Obrador has done a good job ensuring that federal support reaches the most needy instead of diverting money out of the country, as happened with past administrations. She maintains that “López Obrador is Mexico’s most beloved president and a worldwide phenomenon.”
Alcaráz also states that “both the opposition and the INE tried to discourage the public from voting, but the public spoke and proved that society continues to embrace President Manuel López Obrador.”
