People take part in a march in support of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador鈥檚 government policies and to celebrate his four years in the office, in Mexico City, Mexico November 27, 2022. REUTERS
MEXICO CITY 鈥� Tens of thousands marched with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday in a massive demonstration through the center of the country鈥檚 capital to show their support for the head of state before a 2024 general election.
鈥淢exico is no longer run by oligarchy, now there is a democratic system whose priority is the poor,鈥� the president told people crowding the vast Zocalo square at the city鈥檚 center.
Lopez Obrador, whose administration has made double-digit minimum wages hikes for the past four years, proposed that the 2023 increase could land around 20%, and forecast the country鈥檚 economic growth would beat expectations.
Supporters, many of whom traveled to the capital by bus, shook hands and took selfies with the 69-year-old head of state as he crossed the square, many waving flags for the ruling National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party.
鈥淭he president is from a humble background. He鈥檚 done a lot of social programs,鈥� said Teresa Magana, who pooled money with a group of 40 to travel 12 hours from Tabasco, the president鈥檚 home state. 鈥淲e want him to continue.鈥�
The speech followed a five-hour march through the capital鈥檚 Reforma Avenue and performances by mariachi musicians in the main square. The president鈥檚 approval ratings are around 60%.
Electoral reform
Mexican presidents are limited to a single six-year term. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, who were at the march, are likely party candidates to run for the next election, scheduled for the summer of 2024.
The march comes a fortnight after critics of the president鈥檚 plan to reform the country鈥檚 electoral system came to the streets in tens of thousands, the largest demonstration against his policies so far.
Earlier this month, Congress started discussing the plan. Lopez Obrador, known by his initials as AMLO, says his proposal would improve democracy, limit economic influence in politics and cut advertising time, but his opponents fear the change could presage a power grab.
The plan would reduce the budget of the country鈥檚 INE electoral commission and change the way councillors are elected.
Some people protested on Sunday with coffin-shaped signs marked INE.
鈥淎MLO criticizes the salaries of INE councillors,鈥� wrote columnist Sergio Negrete on Twitter. 鈥淲ith the cost of his ego-boosting march, he could pay the salaries of 11 INE councillors for 43 years and three months.鈥�
RELATED STORIES
Mexican president confirms leak of government data, admits health issues
Mexican president previews Ukraine peace plan after criticizing UN