Ricardo Pascoe Pierce
With the dialogue held yesterday between Xóchitl Gálvez and Beatriz Paredes of the Frente Amplio por México, the formal campaign stage between the two contenders for the national coordination of the organization concluded.
The theme discussed in Mérida, Yucatán, was the role of women in Mexican society and the responsibility of the public policies in response to the economic crisis, violence, and the cancellation of multiple services conceived to directly or indirectly support women’s lives.
There was a first reflection on how the government of the 4T diminished to the point of asphyxiation programs to support women. The cancellation of programs such as daycare centers for children and shelters for women victims of violence was the first indication of what President Lopez Obrador would do to the situation of Mexican women. What, at first glance, was seen as a mistake that could be corrected over time became the norm. The government continued to cancel programs that were essential supports for women, such as job training, financing for economic enterprises, specialized medical care, support for children in difficult circumstances, attention to the problem of teenage or child pregnancies, and legal protection against femicides, among many other issues.
The speakers concluded that the 4T government, despite its feminist discourse, has been the enemy of women’s progress during its administration. Xóchitl spoke of how, 107 years ago, before the 1917 Constitution, the first feminist congress was held in Yucatán. She denounced how President López Obrador, from the National Palace, attacks women daily. “Women are only asking for a stop to violence, respect for their human rights, and justice. Many women endure violence because they lack economic independence.”
For her part, Beatriz Paredes affirmed that it is necessary “to assume a gender equity agenda as our obligation, that there be a parity cabinet, a transversal policy with a gender focus, the evolution of the women’s institute hand in hand with civil society and feminist groups.”
It was noteworthy that both candidates first acknowledged that Mexico will have a woman President in its immediate future. Both listed three prospects: Xóchitl, Beatriz, and Claudia. It was a slight hint of sisterhood amid a political contest where great things are at stake, among them the future of women in Mexico. Moreover, it is a contest that will be aggressive, virulent, and probably full of violence. Amid the coming storm, this gesture between women should not be forgotten, at least from here to there.
The closing was premonitory of the conclusion of the selection process of who will be chosen as the Frente Amplio por México national coordinator. In their final interventions, both Xóchitl and Beatriz spoke about what lies ahead for them. Xóchitl called for broad citizen participation to give strength and credibility to the upcoming election. She pointed out the importance of unity for the future of the forthcoming campaign and the possibility of having a coalition government. She is thinking about the upcoming campaign and how relevant it will be for Mexico to have a woman occupying the Presidency of the Republic for the first time.
Beatriz, instead, reflected on two aspects. On the one hand, she explained the importance of unity to strengthen and maintain the Frente Amplio por México, insisting on creating a coalition cabinet. At the same time, she reinforced the notion of respecting the agreements made within this new body that unites the majority of the opposition in Mexico. On the other hand, she explained the reasons why she resisted the idea of declining her candidacy to the Frente Amplio. Basically, she insisted on the importance of creating a new way of doing politics in Mexico, far from the method of backroom deals, which she described as a “patriarchal” method. “It is time to innovate in politics, and here we are innovating”.
In the end, the two candidates were in front of the public and received recognition for the great effort they made during the whole process of registration, campaign, and, finally, the final judgment of the voters, both in the poll and in the popular election.
Starting today, a survey will be conducted to measure the acceptance of each candidate. Next Sunday, September 3, the primary election will be held for those registered on the Frente Amplio por México electoral roll.
That same day, the election winner will be announced and, therefore, who will lead the destiny of the Frente Amplio por México toward next year’s presidential elections.
The conclusion of this stage of the organization of the opposition marks just the beginning of the great electoral process that will define the future of our country. The good stuff is just beginning.
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