2017 Mejican legislative election
The 2017 Mejican legislative elections were held on Sunday, June 11, to elect the members of the Chamber of Deputies as part of the VII Imperial Congress. Despite the previous constitutional changes performed to establish a two-round voting system in Mejico, in 2016, shortly after Emperor Agustín VI's accession to the throne, the controversy around the system broke out and culminated in a divisive national referendum, which ultimately undid the previous reforms. Consequently, the 2017 legislative elections were conducted under the previous single-round system, which led to various strategic shifts among the political parties.
The Popular Progressive Party (PPP), under President Ebrard, faced some difficulties during this election cycle, experiencing a decline of 15 seats, reducing its representation from 204 to 189. Increasing public scrutiny of Ebrard's administration, particularly regarding economic policies, automation, and transparency, prompted some constituents to seek alternatives. The constitutional crisis and the shifting of metrics to promote the government's poverty alleviation program affected the party's performance.
The main members of the opposition, the Mejican Democratic Party (PDM) and the National Action Party (PAN), made modest gains in the face of the PPP's decline. The PDM gained a single seat to secure 176 seats overall in the Chamber of Deputies. Conversely, the PAN capitalized on dissatisfaction with PPP governance, managing to increase its representation by two seats, bringing its total to 117. Although the NAP experienced a net gain, it remained significantly below its historical highs, further indicating a loss of its traditional voter base.
The Popular Organization Party (POP), a crucial ally of the PPP, suffered a substantial decline in support, shedding 12 seats to fall to 72. This decline reflected tensions and dissatisfaction among their supporters due to a divisive internal election that saw factional disagreements emerge over policy directions, particularly regarding the economy. The electoral campaign was marked by significant infighting, which ultimately eroded the POP's ability to effectively communicate a cohesive platform to their constituents. The Green Ecologist Party (GEPM), meanwhile, made substantial strides, gaining 10 seats. This gain signified a shift in voter priorities, with environmental issues gaining traction.
The Unified Socialist Party of Mejico (USPM) faced challenges, losing three seats to attain a total of 23. In an unexpected twists, minor parties and independents saw a significant shift in their representation, gaining 17 seats for a total of 48 independents and minor parties, mostly regionalist parties.