Fact Check: "Morena party now controls Mexico's presidency, Congress, and judiciary."
What We Know
The claim that the Morena party controls Mexico's presidency, Congress, and judiciary is supported by recent developments in the country's political landscape. The Morena party, founded by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has maintained a dominant position in Mexican politics. As of June 2025, the party holds the presidency under Claudia Sheinbaum, who succeeded López Obrador, and has a majority in Congress. This dominance has now extended to the judiciary following a judicial election on June 1, 2025, where Morena's favored candidates were overwhelmingly elected to the Supreme Court and other judicial positions, consolidating their control over the third branch of government (Washington Post [1], Economist [2]).
The election saw a low voter turnout of only 13%, with many ballots spoiled or left blank, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process. Critics argue that this election represents a significant step back for democracy in Mexico, as it appears to weaken the independence of the judiciary by allowing political influence to dictate judicial appointments (New York Times [4]).
Analysis
The evidence indicates that the Morena party has indeed solidified its control over Mexico's key governmental branches. The judicial election results show that all nine members of the newly elected Supreme Court were on lists of recommended candidates distributed by Morena, suggesting a coordinated effort to ensure party loyalty within the judiciary (Washington Post [1], Economist [2]). This consolidation of power raises concerns among legal experts and former justices, who warn that it undermines the checks and balances essential for a functioning democracy (Washington Post [1]).
Critics of the election process have pointed out that the low turnout and the confusing ballot system may have compromised the democratic nature of the election. The fact that many voters were mobilized by political parties and that a significant percentage of ballots were spoiled indicates a lack of genuine public engagement and trust in the electoral process (New York Times [4]).
While some analysts argue that the judicial system in Mexico was in need of reform due to issues of corruption and inefficiency, the method of electing judges has been criticized as a potential avenue for further entrenching political influence in judicial matters (Economist [2]).
Conclusion
The claim that the Morena party now controls Mexico's presidency, Congress, and judiciary is True. The evidence clearly shows that Morena has established a stronghold over all three branches of government, particularly following the recent judicial elections that favored their candidates. This consolidation of power raises significant concerns about the future of democracy and judicial independence in Mexico.
