### COPARMEX and Independent Workers Express Concern Over the Dissolution of INAI and Other Autonomous Bodies, Calling it a Blow to Democratic Checks and Balances
On August 23, 2024, the Commission of Constitutional Points in Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved a proposal put forward by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This controversial initiative aims to dissolve seven key autonomous constitutional bodies, including the National Institute for Transparency, Information Access, and Personal Data Protection (INAI). The proposal, supported primarily by the legislative groups of Morena, the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), and the Labor Party (PT), will now proceed to the Plenary for further discussion and potential approval in the upcoming legislative session starting September 1.
The autonomous bodies slated for dissolution include INAI, the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE), the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL), the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH), and the National Commission for Continuous Improvement in Education (MEJORADU).
Out of the 39 votes in the Commission of Constitutional Points, 22 favored the initiative, while 17 opposed it, with no abstentions. In more detailed voting, 22 supported and 16 opposed the initiative, with zero abstentions. The proposal has now been forwarded to the Lower House’s Directing Board for further debate.
### Reactions from Affected Bodies
INAI expressed grave concerns about the potential impact of this initiative, warning that it threatens the quality of public life and citizen trust in institutions. According to INAI, “This reform is a significant step backward, severely harming the full exercise of human rights in our country. The INAI is not merely an organization; it’s pivotal in constructing a robust and transparent democracy.”
Similarly, the Federal Telecommunications Institute criticized the initiative, arguing it would revert to a dated and ineffective institutional model for telecommunications and broadcasting. “The new model would significantly limit the provision of better services and stifle competitiveness in these markets, causing a severe setback for users and audiences nationwide,” said IFT representatives.
COFECE also stated the imperative need for a reform that promotes free competition, benefits consumers, and protects micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. In a firm statement, the Mexican Employers’ Association (COPARMEX) highlighted that the dissolution of these autonomous bodies would account for merely 0.05% of the federal budget. The association rebuked the austerity argument made for their elimination.
“The removal of these entities weakens economic competitiveness and undermines fundamental democratic principles by doing away with checks that ensure accountability and the exercise of fundamental rights like data protection and access to information,” COPARMEX said.
According to the initiative sent by the head of the Federal Executive on February 5, 2024, these autonomous bodies have received over 32.3 billion pesos since their inception. Under austerity principles, the initiative seeks to reincorporate their functions into federal public administration and channel the resulting savings into a pension fund for welfare.
The approved project stipulates that the Federal Telecommunications Institute’s activities will be transferred to the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communication, and Transportation. COFECE’s roles will move to the Secretariat of Economy. The regulators in the energy sector, including CNH and CRE, will transfer their functions to the Secretariat of Energy. INAI’s functions will be distributed among the Secretariat of Public Administration, the Federal Judiciary’s oversight body, and the congressional comptrollers—replicating this model at the state level. Lastly, the CONEVAL’s responsibilities will transition to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
### Related Developments
**Black Friday: Democracy Under Question**
In a related development, other significant events are putting Mexico’s democracy to the test. For instance, Supreme Court Justice Norma Piña criticized a legislative maneuver by the ruling party, comparing it to a “Black Friday” for democracy. Opposition politician Xóchitl Gálvez announced plans to challenge these legislative actions, describing them as an overreach by the ruling party, Morena.
Furthermore, the Mexican Navy has seized 7.2 tons of cocaine on the coasts of Colima and Michoacán, showcasing the ongoing fight against organized crime. Meanwhile, the INAI continues to view these legislative efforts as a regressive move. The Federal Judiciary Council has also ratified a national labor strike by judges and magistrates, echoing broader discontent with current governmental policies.
As these events unfold, focus remains on how they will shape the Mexican political landscape and the country’s democratic integrity.
For more updates and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.