An Express Goodbye in the Maximum Tribune
It seems that in Mexican politics speed is a relative concept. For some things, such as constitutional reforms, it can take years. For others, such as firing an Attorney General of the Republic, a short hour is enough. In a spectacle of efficiency that would leave any home delivery service breathless, Morena and his cronies in the Senate approved on fast track the resignation of Alejandro Gertz Manero. The justification? A mysterious and powerful “serious cause“: accepting a position as ambassador to a “friendly country.” Because, of course, changing the Prosecutor’s Office for an embassy is a national emergency that cannot wait, something as serious as… well, like having to choose between having morning coffee or being late for a plenary session.
With the agility of a notarial procedure paid for urgently, the legislative plenary session, in the blink of an eye and with the waiver of any procedure that could slow down the government’s desire, gave its approval. The operation had the support of 74 votes in favor of the official coalition (Morena, PT and PVEM). In front of them, 22 brave – or perhaps simply recalcitrant – votes against the PRI, PAN and MC tried, in vain, to add a little drama to a show that already had the script written.
Theatrical Farewell Formal
The president of the Senate, Laura Itzel Castillo, was in charge of giving it the touch of solemnity that any well-staged farce requires. With the gravity of someone announcing the discovery of a new subatomic particle, he read the arguments: the Senate, using its powers, accepted the resignation considering that the reason was of unsuspected gravity. One almost expected the “serious cause” to be a secret mission to negotiate intergalactic peace, but no, it was a diplomatic position. The disappointment is palpable.
From the rostrum, Clemente Castañeda, senator from MC, played the role of official spoilsport when arguing his vote against. He dared to hint at what many thought: that being appointed ambassador does not seem, in the slightest, a “serious cause” to leave the Attorney General’s Office. What an uncomfortable detail to point out the logic in the midst of so much celebration for the new vacancy. It’s like criticizing the soundtrack at a movie premiere; It’s just not done.
This episode leaves several rhetorical questions in the air that will fuel the political after-dinner conversations. Could it be that the real “serious cause” was the urgency to place a new head in the most important judicial body in the country? Or perhaps the diplomatic position was so irresistible that it justified skipping any formalities? The dance of the chairs in the dome of the FGR has always been a high-performance ballet, but this time choreographed at breakneck speed. What is clear is that, when there is political will, legal and procedural obstacles evaporate faster than water in the desert. One master of ceremonies leaves, another will arrive, and the circus of national politics continues, always offering a new act to our amazement – and sometimes, our sarcasm.
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