Will Eliminating Regulatory Agencies Benefit Mexicans?
Mexico’s Senate on Nov. 29 approved a measure that would eliminate seven independent regulatory and oversight agencies as part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s austerity strategy. The plan, which a majority of state legislatures ratified days later, does away with the independent body that handles freedom of information requests and places the autonomous antitrust watchdog Cofece under the economy ministry’s supervision. What are the main reasons for the agencies’ elimination, and what does it entail for the Mexican government? To what extent would it hinder citizens’ access to accountability and transparency from government officials? How might these changes affect foreign investment?