Major Political Parties of Mexico

Udit Jain

Mr. Yoder

AP Comparative Government

April 3, 2017

Major Political Parties of Mexico

Mexico is one of the countries that we have studied that seem to have a three-party system. The politics of Mexico are dominated by three major political parties: Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and the National Action Party (PAN). Typically, all political parties serve to promote political participation and democracy, irrespective of the principles and ideology they associate themselves with. All political parties of Mexico have to be registered by the National Electoral Institution (INE), and have to acquire at least 2% of the votes in the federal elections to keep their registry.

The current president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto is from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) – the largest “center party” in Mexico. Historically, the party has been considered nationalist, with members from the socialist left to a business elite making up its ranks. The party emerged as a consolidating force after Elias Cales’s efforts to end a violent and long-term struggle for power after the Mexican revolution. Many say that PRI has invented brand name politics. The party’s name, ideology and even the color (similar to the national flag) are associated with the concept of the Mexican Republic. The PRI used various names over the past few decades and dominated the political scene of Mexico until 2000. Critics of PRI don’t hesitate to say that the PRI stayed in power largely due to fraud and electoral manipulation. After two tough presidential elections (2000 and 2006), the PRI lost its grip on the presidency and has been mounting its comeback as “The NEW PRI” sweeping the 2009 congressional elections and also winning the 2012 presidential elections. The PRI now represents democratic nationalism and economic liberalism.

A center-right party, the National Action Party (PAN) brings Catholics and capitalists in Mexico together. Founded in 1939, the PAN's roots are also found in the post-Revolutionary period. In 2000, PAN became the first party to defeat the PRI and break its strangle-hold on the presidency with Vicente Fox as its candidate. The PAN also won the presidency again in a tight election with Felipe Calderón in 2006. It is considered to have a relatively conservative ideology although it rejects to adhere to left-or-right-wing policies or politics. It advocates free enterprise, privatization, smaller government, and liberal reforms as well. On the same time, the party is also conservative on social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion.