1. National Electoral Institute confirms withdrawal of Morena representative’s candidacy

The National Electoral Institute’s council withdrew Félix Salgado Macedonio’s candidacy for the governorship of Guerrero for not submitting its pre-campaign expense report in due time and form as established by law. Salgado has the possibility of appealing the decision before the Electoral Tribunal.
 
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador assured that, if necessary, he would make a telephone consultation to inquire about the institute’s decision. Additionally, he raised the possibility of reforming legislation after the electoral period, in view of the recent decisions made by the National Electoral Institute.

El País: El INE reafirma su decisión e impide la candidatura de Salgado Macedonio.
El Financiero: AMLO propone encuesta telefónica para resolver caso Salgado Macedonio.
El Economista: AMLO presentará iniciativa de reforma al INE después de las elecciones de junio

2. Chamber of Deputies approves outsourcing reforms, bill moves to Senate

With 284 votes in favour, 108 against and 17 abstentions, the Chamber of Deputies approved a package of reforms that would regulate subcontracting and turned it over to the Senate for discussion and voting.

Included in the bill are reforms to six laws and the Constitution – Labor, Infonavit, the Tax Code, the Income Tax Law, VAT, the Federal Law of Workers in the Service of the State and Section B of Article 123 of the Constitution – with the intent of “eliminating practices that harm labour rights, eradicating actions that currently operate through various forms of simulation to the detriment of individuals, workers and the treasury,” states the ruling.

El Financiero: Diputados aprueban reformas sobre outsourcing; pasan al Senado

3. Senate approves controversial National Register of Mobile Phone Users

On April 13, the Senate of the Republic approved the development of a Registry of Mobile Telephone Users in general terms, arguing that it is an effective measure to curb extortion and kidnapping crimes that make use of cell phones. The registry will use personal and biometric data. 

On the other hand, political parties and civil organizations warned that the law has characteristics that affect human rights, stating that it violates the privacy of users and may go against international instruments such as the USMCA.

El Economista: Senado aprueba padrón nacional de usuarios de telefonía móvil

4. Mexican government celebrates Televisa and Univision merger

President López Obrador celebrated Wednesday’s merger of two of the largest Spanish-speaking media networks, Mexico’s Televisa and the U.S.-based Univision, with the addition of Google and investments from Softbank. 

This will create the largest Spanish-language consortium in the world. Its economic activity is equivalent to approximately MXN $100 billion (USD $5.01 billion), with an audience of up to 600 million people worldwide. This alliance will also lead to an increase in tax revenues for the Mexican government.

Milenio: AMLO celebra alianza de Televisa y Univision; empresas pagarán varios MDP en impuestos

5. President could use veto to slow down Congress

President López Obrador assured that, if there is a drastic change for his government following the upcoming June 6th elections that favour the opposition and cancel the budget, he will take veto actions to reverse the legislature’s decision.

The electoral context will define the approval of the budget for the 2021-2022 period in which the opposition will weigh the president’s decisions, including social programs.

El Universal: Si opositores ganan mayoría en Congreso, podría usar facultad de veto, amaga AMLO