Ricardo Pascoe Pierce
If anything has marked Giovani Gutiérrez’s political and administrative management as Mayor of Coyoacán, it has been his irreverent character. At every turn, he has caused confusion among friends and strangers alike about the strategies and tactics to be applied. This happens because while he analyzes and thinks outside the traditional parameters, both friends and opponents analyze him from the perspective of their own conceptions. And that, almost invariably, prevents them from understanding his intentions, expressions, or actions.
Something that is not understood about Giovani is that his irreverence is not radicalism, but rather the synthesis of a way of thinking formed through different prisms: businessman, athlete, traveler, and politician, which makes him resistant to rigid ideological frameworks. This is a guide and measure in the evolution of his political philosophy.
Today, Giovani presented his Fourth Government Report in the parking lot of the Azteca Stadium (now Banorte Stadium). This generous space allowed an attendance of 33,000 people, confirmed by QRRs, to gather comfortably and without civil protection or parking problems. On a sunny day, he presented the report with video images showing the achievements of his administration in 27 minutes—enough time to say what needed to be said.
Accompanied by this massive crowd of obvious support, Giovanni continued to be irreverent. Leading a government with the support of the PAN, PRI, and PRD, the mayor greeted and thanked the governments of Claudia Sheinbaum (Marina, National Guard) and Clara Brugada (Secretary of Citizen Security, support for supplementary resources for public works) for their support. For some, these expressions confirmed the mayor’s preference for the Morena governments, to the detriment of the opposition. This is where Giovani’s irreverence comes in: he will always be a man of dialogue and good manners, even when faced with treacherous betrayals. And boy, has he faced those situations.
He also gave special thanks to Eréndira Cruzvillegas Fuentes, Legal Counsel to the head of the Mexico City Government, for her presence. And he seated her next to Senator Alejandra Barrales of the Citizens’ Movement. Across the aisle were Beatríz Paredes of the PRI and Jorge Romero, national president of the PAN. An example of plurality and tolerance, recommended for any Mexican State institution. Another act of irreverence.
In his speech, the mayor spoke of the legal and moral duty of the government he heads. Of the good and transparent use of the mayor’s office’s resources, which come from the taxes we all pay as Mexicans. In the areas of security, public works, urban services, citizen participation, culture, social development, land use planning, human rights, and transparency in spending control, he explained the strategy and tactics for each.
The most relevant aspect of the event, after confirming public accountability to society, was the massive turnout of Coyoacán residents. Never in the long history of Coyoacán had a government official managed to attract 33,000 citizens to a democratic exercise of this magnitude. Behind such a large turnout lies a story that must be understood and told.
Over the last four years, the mayor’s office has been promoting a policy of planned, scientifically prepared territorial work in coordination with all the administrative and political areas of the mayor’s office. This work involves going door to door every week, responding to citizens’ demands and preventing emergencies, as well as providing support when needed. It is work done by both officials and community leaders to consolidate the presence of a government that is close to the people and has open channels of communication to receive the needs and complaints of the community.
The emphasis on prioritizing territorial work over political work, understood as strictly partisan, is another sign of Giovani’s irreverence. He feels more comfortable winning the sympathy of citizens than winning an internal party vote. Coyoacán is an example of how government work should be done, based on the premise of direct contact with citizens. That is what must be done if one wants to win elections. Elections are won through territorial work. Marketing strategies should complement territorial presence, but they can never replace it. Elections are won on the ground, not on social media.
For those thinking about the 2027 elections, take a look at how they work in Coyoacán. They are setting the path to follow. And the path is clear: grassroots work without sectarianism or exclusions, but with clear ideas and precise proposals.
Thus, Coyoacán sets the path to 2027.
@rpascoep
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