Mexico City’s Political Reform is a triumph of dialogue, democracy and its inhabitants: Enrique Peña Nieto

Union and the capital of Mexico, he declared.

After declaring that Mexico City will remain the capital and the heart of our country, the president declared that it will remain the seat of the branches of government and the capital of the United Mexican States, “But now, it will also have autonomy in all matters concerning its internal regime and its political and administrative organization.”

He declared that as a result of an agreement between the political parties, “A long-awaited wish has become a reality: Mexico City has been recognized as a state with genuine autonomy.”

The Political Reform of Mexico City is another achievement of the Pact for Mexico, which has enabled all the political forces to reach agreements to advance our nation. It is a clear sign, he said, that, “Beyond political differences, we can join forces for the benefit of society through a mature, constructive dialogue.”

He said that as a result of the Political Reform, “The legislature of Mexico City will form part of the Permanent Constituent, while the powers of the city will be able to exercise all the faculties not expressly granted to the Federation in the Constitution, as happens with the states, in accordance with Article 124 of the Constitution.”

He said that the transformation of the current boroughs into territorial demarcations, whose government will be the responsibility of town halls, “Is a step forward in the concept of federation, as well as in strengthening our democracy and political pluralism.”

The president declared that the most important aspect of this political reform is that, “Now the inhabitants of the capital city will have their own charter of rights and freedoms in keeping with their freedoms and aspirations.” Mexico City’s political Reform, he added, “Strengthens the rights of its citizens and residents, who will now be better equipped to participate democratically in the solution of the problems and challenges of this great city.”

That is why, he added, “The next important step is to establish the Constituent Assembly of Mexico City according to the terms and time limits established by the Decree, which states that the president will appoint six out of the 100 Constituent Delegates.

“My commitment is therefore to select men and women of excellence for this responsibility, who, beyond their party affiliation, will prove their knowledge and commitment to Mexico City and the country,” he said.

He said that the Constituent Assembly, “Will be a milestone in our recent political history, and as such, its members should discharge their duty with responsibility and efficiency, with a state vision that is above the interests of factions and political parties.”

He said the goal is, “For those of us comprising this Constituent Assembly to honor the example of those who, throughout our history, have preceded it in the noble and transcendental responsibility of designing the rules and institutions of our social pact.”

“I am sure that the pluralistic composition of this Constituent Assembly, composed of legal scholars, experts on the problems of the city and community leaders, among others, will permit the creation of a leading-edge legal instrument that will provide certainty for the political, economic and social activities of the capital of the country,” he explained.

The president mentioned that the Constitution’s recognition of the autonomy of Mexico City to define its internal affairs, “Is the result of the efforts of several generations and reflects the current capacity of political actors to reach agreements on key issues for the country.”

The enactment of this decree marks the culmination of a debate that began with the discussion of the Constitution of 1824 and has been present for nearly two centuries. During this period, new states have been incorporated until today, when Mexico City was acknowledged as a federal state,” he said.

President Peña Nieto stressed that, “Today is a great day for federalism, democracy and republican life in Mexico. Today is a great day for the citizens and residents of Mexico City; today our democracy has advanced and taken another step in the long historical process that has shaped our institutions and legal system.”

“History is written by focusing on the aspirations and demands of society and specifying the reforms and changes required by each generation. The events of today are proof that when Mexicans set their minds to it, there is no goal we cannot achieve in order to continue transforming Mexico. There is no doubt that the enactment of the Political Reform to turn the Federal District into Mexico City is a fundamental step and one of great importance in the future of this city,” he declared.

The president declared that this city, “Is where our national coat of arms originated; this is where the glorious Tenochtitlan was built and the site of the splendor and early history of the political independence of our country.”

“This is where the reform was conceived and the most representative works of Mexican muralists were painted; this is where the Tlatelolco Treaty was signed and where some of our scientists and artists were born. It is also the site of the branches of government; the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the National Polytechnic Institute; the historic center and the town of Xochimilco, both Cultural Heritage sites and the museums that preserve the best of our precious national heritage. But above all, Mexico City is and will remain the home of millions of Mexicans,” he said.

THE PRESIDENT OFFERED HIS PERMANENT AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE THIS HISTORIC MOMENT: MIGUEL ÁNGEL MANCERA

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinosa acknowledged President Peña Nieto’s permanent, institutional support, “To arrive at this historic moment for Mexico and the inhabitants of its capital."

He declared: “Today we have seen one of the greatest political and social achievements in the history of Mexico City; today we are witnessing a huge step in the construction of proper, effective sovereignty for the capital’s citizens.”

Declaring that, “We must ensure that Mexico City has a modern, advanced constitution,” he stressed that, “A new stage of work also begins today. Today marks the start of the construction of the new legal, political, economic and social scaffolding of our city.”

A constitution, he said, “That guarantees investment, development, prosperity, education, health and non-discrimination. And provides the correct degree of freedom in every sense.” To this end, he said, there will be an invitation to encourage the most comprehensive social participation that should make every effort to ensure the legal, political, social and economic construction of the capital.

MEXICO CITY’S POLITICAL REFORM IS THE RESULT OF THE PACT FOR MEXICO: JESÚS ZAMBRANO

Jesus Zambrano Grijalva, Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Deputies, said that Mexico City’s political reform is one of the most important constitutional reforms enacted by Congress in recent years, noting that, “It is the result of the political will, conviction and determination of the main political forces of the country, who made a commitment and reflected it in the Pact for Mexico.”

In particular, he said, it reflects “the political will of President Peña Nieto, who signed the Pact, and the Mayor of Mexico City, Dr. Mancera, who publicly pledged from the beginning of his term in December 2012, that he would take steps to achieve this goal.”

He said that the reform is the crystallization of decades of effort by hundreds of thousands of men and women from Mexico City to be recognized with full rights, through the referendum that civil society itself organized over 25 years ago, and a result of the 1996 Political Reform.

The Reform, he said, “Is an agreement that enriches our Federal Pact as a sovereign nation; It is an act that formally declares the birth of Mexico City as the capital of the country, the seat of national powers and puts it on an equal footing with the 31 states in the country.”

THE REFORM IS THE KEY TO THE REVITALIZATION OF POLITICAL RIGHTS: GIL ZUARTH

Roberto Gil Zuarth, President of the Board of the Senate, declared that Mexico City’s Political Reform is, “The key to the revitalization of political rights and the path to true self-government of the social body.” Moreover, he added, "This reform is also correcting a deficit in democracy and rights.”

He said that, “Today marks the culmination of a constitutional consensus and the start of a new constituent process.” It is the start of stage in which we will have to implement what we have legislated in the General Constitution, overcome its shortcomings, and of course, fill in any gaps. Our work has only just begun.”

He said that, “This reform, and what comes after it, is inspired by closing the door to exceptions when they are not justified, and showing where they are necessary.”