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The Zedillo Legacy in Mexico Summary

Core Content

This document, authored by Roderic Ai Camp and published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in 1996, provides an assessment of President Ernesto Zedillo's first two years in office. It examines the broader political and economic context of his presidency, evaluates his performance, and analyzes the changes in his cabinet.

Main Points

Political Context

• Zedillo is in the middle of his presidential term, facing a complex political landscape that is in transition from a centralized, presidential system to a more pluralist one.
• Mexico is undergoing a significant political transformation, but the pace and extent of these changes are seen as insufficient and undramatic by critics.
• The larger political context is marked by crisis, both economic and social, which has led to public blame on Zedillo and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
• The judiciary, historically weak, is now being reformed, but the process has been influenced by presidential decisions, which has raised concerns about the separation of powers.

Presidential Performance

• Zedillo's main policy challenges include recovering from the economic crisis, advancing electoral reforms, addressing social insecurity, strengthening the judiciary, and decentralizing presidential authority.
• His decision-making process is often opaque and dominated by the executive branch.
• While his economic policies show consistency and a willingness to endure political costs, political implementation has been inconsistent, undermining public perception and internal party cohesion.
• Zedillo has been involved in resolving local political disputes, which has hindered the process of decentralization and the development of a mature democratic system.
• His intervention in state affairs, such as in Chiapas, Guerrero, and Nuevo León, has been both successful and controversial, while his failure to remove the governor of Tabasco has been seen as a sign of presidential weakness.

Cabinet Changes

• Zedillo has made several significant changes to his cabinet, including the replacement of key officials in various ministries.
• These changes reflect both policy and personnel considerations, with new appointments aimed at improving communication, addressing internal party issues, and enhancing the effectiveness of governance.
• The new cabinet members come from different political factions, indicating a shift in power dynamics within the PRI.

Key Information

Cabinet Members and Their Backgrounds

• Guillermo Ortiz replaced the finance secretary, indicating a shift in economic policy direction.
• Emilio Chuayfett was appointed to replace Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, due to his experience in electoral politics and political matters.
• Francisco Labastida Ochoa was appointed as secretary of agriculture, showing the influence of his mentor Moctezuma.
• Jesús Reyes Heroes was appointed as secretary of energy, reflecting the influence of de la Madrid's group.
• Carlos Almada was brought in as press secretary, suggesting a focus on improving communication skills.
• Santiago Onate was moved to the PRI presidency, indicating a strategic effort to strengthen the party's position.

Political Factions

• The cabinet reflects the influence of several political factions, including those associated with Alfredo del Mazo, Miguel de la Madrid, and Arsenio Farell.
• Zedillo has distanced himself from the legacy of his predecessor, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, whose image has been tarnished since 1995.

Conclusion

• Despite the challenges, Zedillo has the potential to strengthen his presidency.
• His administration has made progress in some areas, such as electoral reform and judicial strengthening, but has struggled with effective communication and consistent implementation of policies.
• The political future of Zedillo is uncertain, but not desperate. The PRI is still a major political force, and Zedillo's leadership is being tested by both internal and external pressures.

About the Author

• Roderic Ai Camp is the author of this report. He is affiliated with the CSIS Americas Program, which focuses on research and analysis of political, economic, and security issues in the Americas.

Appendix: The Current Zedillo Cabinet

• The document includes a detailed list of Zedillo's current cabinet members and the political groups they represent, highlighting the internal dynamics and factional influences within the PRI.