Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is facing criticism for rushing through legislative and building projects before his term ends in September. Mistakes have been made in the legislative process, with the wrong bill on pension reform accidentally submitted for a vote in Congress by legislators from the governing Morena party. The rushed atmosphere also extends to infrastructure projects, with errors in construction, such as cranes crashing off bridges and pilings being sunk into protected cave systems. López Obrador is eager to finish his administration’s projects before the upcoming presidential election on June 2.
One of the most controversial projects is the pension reform, which would allow the government to seize unclaimed pension funds if a worker doesn’t start drawing them by age 70. López Obrador defends the measure, stating that the funds would be available for return if a worker or their dependents claim them later. However, the bill mistakenly submitted for a vote would have removed some protections, leading to concerns about the rights of workers and their beneficiaries. The tension arises from López Obrador’s preference for large, government-run programs over individual benefit programs, which he criticizes for promoting individualism.
Since the 1997 conversion of Mexico’s pension programs into individual accounts similar to the U.S. 401K program, López Obrador has advocated for a government guarantee of pensions equal to 100% of a worker’s last paycheck. However, the government lacks the funds to support this, leading to the proposed raid on unclaimed individual accounts. There are concerns about the lack of outreach and ad campaigns to remind workers to claim their money, as well as the bureaucratic process of accessing pension funds for dependents. López Obrador’s rush to implement his policies without proper planning has raised questions about the effectiveness and fairness of his proposed reforms.
The president’s haste is evident in other areas as well, such as rushing laws through congress without allowing legislators time to read the bills, and exempting infrastructure projects from normal permitting and environmental review processes. López Obrador’s focus on railway projects has led to environmental concerns and construction accidents, including cranes collapsing and pilings being driven through protected cave systems. Despite the accidents, López Obrador is determined to finish the projects before his term ends in September, showcasing them as achievements of his administration.
Critics argue that the rush to complete projects risks compromising safety and environmental protections, as well as undermining the rights of workers and their beneficiaries. The president’s preference for government-run programs over individual accounts has sparked debates about the future of pension reform in Mexico. As López Obrador pushes to fulfill his promises before the end of his term, concerns remain about the oversight and planning of his administration’s projects, and the potential long-term consequences of his policies. The upcoming presidential election will determine the legacy of López Obrador’s administration and the impact of his rushed reforms on the country’s future.
