Mexico · Government
Government and administration in Mexico
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Executive — President of the Republic
- Single six-year term, no re-election ever (Article 83).
- Legislative — Congress of the Union
- Chamber of Deputies (500) and Senate (128).
- Judicial — Federal Judiciary
- Since the 2024 reform, justices and judges are chosen by popular election.
- Autonomous — Banco de México, INE, CNDH
- Constitutionally autonomous bodies outside the three branches.
How legislation is made
Bills may be introduced by the President, either chamber, state legislatures or by citizens with 0.13% of the electoral roll. Both chambers must pass an identical text; the President may veto, and Congress overrides with two-thirds of each chamber. Constitutional amendments need two-thirds of Congress plus a majority of state legislatures (Article 135).
Enforcement institutions
- Fiscalía General de la República
- Autonomous federal prosecutor since 2018, headed by a nine-year Fiscal General.
- Guardia Nacional
- Federal police force created in 2019; its transfer to military command has been repeatedly litigated.
- Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos
- Issues non-binding recommendations and can bring actions of unconstitutionality.
Government bodies and regulators
- judicialSuprema Corte de Justicia de la NaciónHighest court and constitutional tribunal of the federation.
- judicialConsejo de la Judicatura FederalAdministers and disciplines the federal judiciary below the Supreme Court.
- executiveFiscalía General de la RepúblicaAutonomous federal prosecution service.
- executiveSecretaría de GobernaciónInterior ministry coordinating domestic policy and migration.
- legislativeCámara de DiputadosLower chamber of the Congreso de la Unión.
- legislativeCámara de SenadoresUpper chamber representing the states.
- independentComisión Nacional de los Derechos HumanosNational human rights ombudsman.
- independentInstituto Nacional ElectoralOrganises federal elections and maintains the electoral roll.
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