Mexico flagPolitics & Government Guide

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Mexico

Mexico is a federal republic currently governed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), who took office in October 2024. The country is undergoing significant institutional changes including a major judicial reform that replaces appointed judges with popularly elected ones and legislative reforms expanding military authority and government surveillance capabilities. These reforms have raised concerns among international observers regarding judicial independence, democratic checks and balances, and fundamental rights protection.

Democracy Index

Moderate

Government Type

Federal Republic

Legal System

Civil law system undergoing judicial reform with popular election of judges

Head of State

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo(since 2024)

Head of Government

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo(National Regeneration Movement)since 2024

Political Indicators

Democracy Index
6.28

Scale: 0-10

Flawed Democracy

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:bicameral
Upper House:Senate (128 seats)
Lower House:Chamber of Deputies (500 seats)

Major Political Parties

National Regeneration Movement(MORENA)

Left-wing populist

278 seats
Institutional Revolutionary Party(PRI)

Center

105 seats
National Action Party(PAN)

Center-right

72 seats

Voting Rights

Mexican citizens aged 18 and older have the right to vote in federal, state, and local elections. Voting is mandatory for citizens.

Recent Developments

  • Constitutional judicial reform approved September 2024 requiring popular election of all judges by 2027, with first elections held June 2025
  • Legislative reforms approved July 2025 creating new Intelligence and Investigation Law and integrating National Guard under Ministry of National Defense
  • Mexico Plan economic strategy launched January 2025 as public-private collaboration to enhance global value chain position
  • Expansion of military role in policing and public security through constitutional amendments
  • Sweeping institutional reforms reducing independent regulatory agencies and concentrating executive power
Voting Age18
SuffrageUniversal
Constitution1917
States and Federal Entity32