AMERICA/MEXICO - Post-election bishops: respecting election results and promoting unity and development together

Tuesday, 8 June 2021 episcopal conferences   violence   work   social situation   politics   elections  

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Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - After the June 6 elections, the Mexican bishops congratulated the citizens and paid tribute to the maturity that was reflected in "the broad participation of citizens and respect for the electoral institutions".
"However - they continue - we must acknowledge that it was a political process marked by strong violence and we raise our prayers for those who have been attacked or killed".
The election campaign in Mexico was one of the most violent in recent years (see Fides, 31/5/2021). A total of 89 politicians were murdered between September 2020 and the end of May. At least 18 candidates withdrew their candidacy for fear of threats or violence. Many candidates had to wear protective vests at election events. The drug cartel and organized crime gangs wanted to place their candidates in the main communities so that they could continue to control the territory without police interference in their activities. In the so-called "largest elections in the history of the country", 96.5 million voters were asked to elect over 20,000 MPs, governors, mayors and local councils. Meanwhile, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his allies in the House of Representatives lost both an absolute and a two-thirds majority.
In their message published on June 7th, the bishops invite "all political forces, rulers and members of civil society to respect the election results, to resume dialogue and to find common paths beyond party differences". They therefore recommend those elected to "honor the will of the people and work for the unity, integral development and dignity of those who live in this country". In this context, they remind those in power that there is an urgent need to "regain the trust of citizens and the true meaning of politics", and they point out to the citizens that "democracy does not end with the election" and that "the democratic process must be observed".
Finally, the Mexican Bishops offer to cooperate with the democratic institutions in order to face the challenges of the nation together, to broaden horizons and to work to ensure that "all citizens receive decent work, education and health care". (SL) ( Agenzia Fides, 8/6/2021)


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