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Comment by 725686 | Hacker News Reader

This is all populist BS that will lead nowhere. The current government is the most incompetent and corrupt ever. And we had a really low bar already.

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The current government of Mexico sells itself as a left leaning party. But it has been destroying or capturing every institution we had built to support our democracy, the separation of powers and the rule of law. From the judicial branch, the electoral institute, the transparency institute and many more.

As a left leaning guy, none of these actions are inherently not-left-leaning which seems to be your assertion. Left and right and middle can all capture institutions if left unchecked which is the case in Mexico.

I mean she passed a plan for universal basic healthcare. I'd say that's clearly left-leaning (even if a bit milquetoast). Her Abrazos, no balazos approach to crime and anti-war stances are also pretty left-leaning. I think she's clearly a left-wing figure but is moderated by trying to toe the line between US foreign policy and leftwing populism

I will preface my comment by saying I'm in no way trying to attack you personally or discredit your opinion based on your foreigner status, but she is not left-leaning. The plan for universal basic healthcare is a rehash of a program that already existed and was cancelled by her antecesor (and mentor). Abrazos, no balazos is also a policy from her ancestor which has resulted (to no avail) in the highest numbers of killings and missing people. Paradoxically, the country has become more militarized, with the Army taking many more responsibilities such as managing borders, trains and airports. The Federal Police got abolished by a National Guard that has since integrated into the Army command structure, no longer a civil force. Previous administration was also against renewables and the trend is still there. It's all populism and propaganda. The judicial power was captured and dismantled along with all serious institutions, and yes, even right wing governments can do it, typically one associates left leaning governments towards separation of powers.

Thank you. Not to go against site rules and veer into meta-discussion on other posters but it strikes me as very odd that a foreigner is just repeating govt propaganda to people who live here.

I did not at all comment on the efficacy or even merits of her programs. I was simply pointing out that she is widely considered a leftwing politician. Obviously there are some exceptions like you but like obviously the Morena party is the leftwing party. It's the party that at least says it's gonna do leftwing things. It's the party that celebrates itself for electing the first transgender congresswoman and explicitly includes gender and sexuality commitments in its platform documents. It's the party that explicitly talks about funding social welfare. It's the party that aligns with labor unions.

You can argue whether or not they live up to those ideals but I think it's unquestionable that it's widely viewed as the leftwing party. Just like PAN is obviously conservative.

Those are left-leaning only if you do not the details. Please consider that this government has a fantastic propaganda machine.

For example, We already had a Universal Basic Healthcare called Seguro Popular. Which was destroyed in 2018 by this regime on a tantrum which left millions without coverage. We went from 9% uncovered to 26% uncovered. They are still trying to figure out how to fix that.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12639676/

The "Abrazos, no balazos" approach turned out to be the party colluding with organized crime to win elections.

Seguro Popular was a neoliberal scheme to allow private clinics to overtake public hospitals. It's ultimate goal was to move towards public-private insurance models. The opposite of a "left-leaning" policy

Besides I'm not arguing over the success or even merits of her policies. I'm simply pointing out that she's clearly and obviously seen a left-leaning candidate. I don't think that's whatsoever a controversial take. It's certainly how her party has always been seen.

That was not my intention, but thanks for clarifying it.

Now days we have to ask if political movements are committed to democracy even before we ask if the lean left or right.

I think they're doing alright. Populism seems to be working for her approval ratings since she's one of Latin America's most popular leaders:

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/07/16/mexicans-...

https://www.as-coa.org/articles/approval-tracker-mexicos-pre...

If lifting 8.3 million Mexican people out of poverty is "populism" then maybe we need more of that.

And I don't think the corruption claim is warranted. Her "Abrazos, no balazos" ("hugs, not guns") approach to dealing with gangs is taken as evidence of her being in cahoots with them but the data shows that it's clearly working. Homicides have dropped by almost half from a year ago! And other crimes have followed the same trajectory.

https://www.gob.mx/sspc/prensa/estrategia-nacional-de-seguri...

Hey, worked for Richmond.

https://www.nlc.org/resource/reimagining-public-safety-impac...

https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/19/health/cash-for-criminals-ric...

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