Discipline is for others, congruence for the base
Ricardo Monreal, Morena’s coordinator in San Lázaro, came out to bring order… or at least, to give the appearance. After three deputies from his party voted against the electoral reform, his message was clear: there will be no formal punishments here. But he left the door open for something more effective: the trial of militancy.
Legislators Giselle Arellano, Alejandra Chedraui and Santy Montemayor are saved (for now) from a parliamentary sanction. Olga Sánchez Cordero, who was mysteriously absent while present, too. Monreal described his position as “regrettable,” an adjective that sounds more like family disappointment than a political consequence.
“Our militancy demands consistency and consequence, respects the principles and ideals of the movement and has been formed in the territory”
That’s the trick. The real message is not for the deputies, it is for the base. You judge, he tells them. It’s an elegantly delegated bill pass. The threat does not come from the parliamentary group, it comes from below.
‘Plan B’ and forced generosity
While putting out an internal fire, Monreal fuels an external one: the so-called ‘Plan B’ for electoral reform announced by Claudia Sheinbaum. He defends it as constitutional and announces its submission to Congress next week.
He describes it as a “gesture of generosity” for the allies (PT and PVEM), from whom he asks for support although he recognizes that they could reject it. The initiative promises to cut salaries of local congresses, put caps on representation positions and reduce funds for electoral employees.
The juiciest thing: it could postpone the judicial election until 2028. A no small detail in the midst of the debate on the independence of the judiciary.
Monreal closed by painting a picture of unity. He denied scolding at the meeting at the National Palace and spoke of “social and political reconstructions.” An optimistic end to a week where party discipline showed its cracks. The question remains: will the next rebellion have the same forgiving ending?
