Mexican Senate Approves Sheinbaum's Dual - Nationality Ban for Top Public Offices

The constitutional reform submitted by President Claudia Sheinbaum—which prohibits individuals with dual nationality from running for the presidency, governorships, or the head of government of Mexico City—is advancing through the legislative process.

The Mexican Senate approved the reform with 86 votes in favor—supported by the parliamentary groups of the ruling Morena party, the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM), and the Labor Party (PT)—and 42 votes against—cast by the opposition bloc comprising the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Action Party (PAN), and the Citizens' Movement (MC). Consequently, the reform secured the qualified majority required for constitutional amendments.

It now requires ratification by at least 17 of the 32 state congresses. Once approved by the state congresses, the legislatures submit their records to the Congress of the Union to officially tally the votes and issue the Declaration of Constitutional Reform. Subsequently, the measure is forwarded to the Executive Branch for promulgation and publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation, at which point it formally enters into force in accordance with the timeframes established in its transitional articles.

The constitutional reform amends Articles 82, 116, and 122, establishing that, in addition to being Mexican by birth and meeting other constitutional requirements, those seeking to run for the presidency and other high-level elected office must not hold another nationality; if they do, they must renounce it before applying for registration as a candidate.

Image Mexican Senate