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1. Chamber of Deputies approves Science and Technology Law

The Chamber of Deputies approved the issuing of the General Law on Humanities, Sciences, Technologies, and Innovation, with 257 votes in favor from the main parties such as Morena and the Labor Party. The process did not encompass an in-depth discussion with civil society organizations, companies, or academics, since five forums of the seven scheduled for the Open Parliament were missing.

The reform sparked concern in the union of the national scientific community by leaving the parameters and evaluation schemes of the National Research Agenda ambiguous. In addition, opposition legislators pointed out that not having the union’s complete vision would create legality problems. The modifications were sent to the Senate of the Republic for constitutional purposes.

El Sol de México: Aprueban diputados en fast-track Ley de Ciencia y Tecnología.

2. Senate approves changes to promote stock market competitiveness

The Finance and Legislative Studies Commissions of the Senate of the Republic approved an initiative that seeks to increase the competitiveness of the stock market system by simplifying securities registration, as well as to encourage the participation of small and medium-sized companies. The Securities Market Law was modified to incorporate new issuers to the stock market and mitigate capital flight.

Senators also considered modifying the Investment Funds Law to incorporate hedge funds, with the purpose of strengthening returns for investors. The Banking, Securities and Savings Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit affirmed that the initiative is a joint effort of the organizations that make up the national financial system.

El Universal: En fast track Senado avala reforma para ampliar y flexibilizar mercado de valores. 

3. Inflation eases after 15 months

In the first half of April, year-on-year inflation stood at 6.24%, the lowest rate since October 2021. The National Consumer Price Index (INPC) published by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) showed that energy prices fell year-on-year, as did prices of some groceries. The indicator is still above the Bank of Mexico’s target range of 3%.

Among goods and services, electricity and air transport experienced a greater drop compared to the previous month. Inflation was lower than the 6.32% annual rate forecast for the first weeks of April by analysts consulted by Citibanamex. Analysts expect headline inflation to end the year at 5.1%, above the Bank of Mexico’s projection.

El Economista: Inflación en México frena a 6.24% en la primera mitad de abril; su nivel más bajo en 17 meses. 

4. President López Obrador in recovery from Covid-19

After a work tour of the southeast of the country, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was diagnosed with Covid-19, which prompted him to suspend public activities for four days. In a message through official channels of the Presidency of the Republic, the president acknowledged that he fainted, but he said the state of his health is adequate.

This week a group of 22 governors of Morena were summoned to the National Palace to address issues on the national agenda, public security, and social programs, without the presence of the head of the executive branch, which raised more doubts about the health of the president. However, López Obrador explained that he has not suffered any other type of affliction and will continue to work regularly.

Forbes: AMLO reaparece y confirma desmayo: ‘como que me quedé dormido, fue un váguido’.

5. Deputies approve unifying the health system

The Parliamentary Group of Morena, without the endorsement of the study in Commissions, approved a reform that eliminates the Institute of Health for Welfare (Insabi), a model institution of the health system of the current administration. The proposal will allow the IMSS-Bienestar health federalization scheme to be the only health system through coordination with federal entities.

President of the Health Commission Emmanuel Reyes stressed that the reform considers transferring the institute’s workers to the IMSS-Welfare system or to the Ministry of Health. The reform must now also be approved by the Senate of the Republic and published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF).

El Financiero: Desaparición de Insabi: ¿Qué pasará con las personas afiliadas y los trabajadores?