Mexico City.- Dozens of people protested on Sunday in the streets of Mexico City once morest the referendum on the permanence of Andrés Manuel López Obrador in the presidency until 2024, which will take place on April 10.
The demonstrators left the central Paseo de la Reforma avenue expressing their rejection of the consultation, which was promoted by López Obrador himself, assuring that it is a democratic exercise, AFP highlighted.
“Don’t vote on April 10,” read a banner put up by protesters at the front of the march.
López Obrador, who assumed power in December 2018, promotes the referendum so that citizens can decide whether or not to complete his term in 2024, when his administration officially ends.
However, his detractors point out that it is a political exercise with a view to strengthening his position in the middle of his government period. They also accuse that the consultation is unnecessary and a waste of resources since the law contemplates that the president must leave office in 2024.
“The capable Mexican says, you finish and you leave!” shouted the protesters. “Incompetent President, you finish and leave,” they added.
The consultation also generates conflicts with the National Electoral Institute (INE), the autonomous body in charge of organizing the consultation.
Since last year, the INE has pointed out that cuts in its budget ordered by the Legislature (which controls López Obrador’s party) complicated the organization of the referendum, to which the president responded by accusing the institute of having sumptuous expenses.
The INE also called on the government to respect the electoral ban, which prevents public officials from promoting the consultation before April 10. In response, the president and his political party accused the electoral authorities of censorship.
The demonstrators carried banners with the legend “I defend the INE” and “Empty ballot boxes”.
Since he was mayor of Mexico City (2000-2006), the leftist leader has promised to submit his mandate to popular opinion through consultations.
As mayor, he made a telephone consultation to half of his government regarding his permanence in office.