## Autonomous Bodies’ Dissolution: A Threat to Democracy Warns Coparmex Tijuana
The Employers’ Confederation of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex) in Tijuana has expressed significant concern over the recent approval of a proposal to dismantle seven autonomous bodies in the country by the Constitutional Points Committee in the Chamber of Deputies.
Led by Roberto Vega, the business organization stated that this proposal “severely jeopardizes” democratic stability and the balance of powers in Mexico. These autonomous bodies account for roughly 0.05% of the Federal Expenditure Budget for 2024.
The establishment of these autonomous entities has historically been driven by the need for transparency and accountability in government. For decades, Mexico endured regimes that centralized power within the Executive branch, leading to abuses of authority, corruption, and a lack of checks and balances. Civil society, along with organizations like Coparmex, has long advocated for the creation of institutions designed to supervise government actions.
Eliminating these bodies would not only weaken economic competition but also undermine the core principles of democracy by removing the necessary checks that ensure accountability and uphold fundamental rights, including data protection and access to information.
Among the affected bodies is the INAI (National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Personal Data Protection), which plays a vital role in ensuring governmental transparency, especially in journalistic investigations. Coparmex highlighted that dissolving INAI represents a regression in the fight against corruption and the rights to privacy and transparency.
In a statement issued on August 27, 2024, Coparmex announced its opposition to the dissolution of key bodies like the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE), the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), and the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT). These entities are crucial for ensuring fair economic competition and protecting consumer welfare. “These bodies are essential for preventing market concentration and fostering economic development,” the organization added.
Coparmex emphasized that the independent nature of these autonomous bodies serves as an effective counterbalance and a tool for citizens to defend against potential abuses of power. “Being independent, they offer a resource for citizens to assert their rights and to control government actions.”
Coparmex has urgently called on the legislators to reconsider the severe consequences that the dissolution of these autonomous bodies would have on democracy and social welfare in Mexico.
## Further Information: Public Opinion on the Dissolution of Autonomous Bodies
Further reports indicate wide public disapproval of the proposal to eliminate these autonomous entities. Various civil rights organizations and public commentators have echoed Coparmex’s concerns. They emphasize the necessity of such bodies in maintaining transparent and accountable governance. Furthermore, many believe that dissolving these institutions would hinder Mexico’s democratic progress made over the past few decades.
Analysts suggest that the removal of these entities would lead to increased centralization of power and potential abuses, thereby posing a significant threat to democratic integrity. Citizens have also taken to social media to express their concerns, urging legislators to protect these fundamental institutions that serve as pillars of democracy and good governance.