Jalisco Morena Members Demand Steering Committee Renewal: “Lack of Democracy”

ByMexico Solidarity

This article by Juan Carlos G. Partida appeared in the August 15, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Guadalajara, Jalisco. A group of Morena party members from Jalisco demanded “effective democracy” within the party, urging the renewal of state committees and the presidencies of state and national councils to prevent the continued “dismal electoral results” seen in Veracruz and Durango last June.

They also cited the “low citizen turnout” for the vote to renew the judiciary and emphasized that the party “is increasingly moving away from the principles and ideology that gave rise to it.”

In a press conference held this Thursday, the activists criticized Morena for now being an “immensely centralized” party, with “discretionary decisions” that disregard the rank and file, and for seeking “perpetuity in office and control of assets.”

They cited as examples the two-year extension of the terms of national councilors and the appointment of members to the National Executive Committee without having been elected in their districts.

They denounced the “repeated refusal to renew the state and municipal executive committees,” which in turn denies the rank and file the right to elect their leaders and allows the sending of “political delegates” to control discontent and prevent internal democratic functioning.

To force the renewal, a Citizens’ Trial (SUP-JDC-2163/2025) was filed before the Superior Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal, demanding that Morena issue the Call for the renewal of the executive committees, which should have been published in June. The National Council’s intention to “extend” the functions of the executive committees, a measure considered “frankly undemocratic,” has also been challenged.

They demanded the renewal of the head of the National Institute for Political Training, a position that, due to gender equality, must be held by a woman. The current head, Rafael Barajas Durán “El Fisgón,” has held for almost seven years, exceeding the three-year term plus one ratification. This case is being resolved by the Superior Court (SUP-JDC-2151/2025).

“According to the Statute and Agreement INE/CG1481/2018, the head of the institute [INFP] is only required to hold office for three years, plus one ratification; however, Rafael Barajas Durán “El Fisgón” has so far held the position for almost seven years.” 

The group of activists also demanded a “true party code of ethics,” as the recently approved Guidelines for Ethical Conduct are “dead letter” because they lack disciplinary parameters and limit freedoms. They asserted that the recent scandals involving “luxury travel and spending to display wealth” demonstrate that the National Honesty Commission “is a mere flower.”

Regarding the proposal to form sectional committees, activists view it as a “way to simulate democracy” and point out that municipal executive committees must first be formed. They called on activists to demand the formation of these committees and the renewal of the State Executive Committee.

Regarding the Electoral Reform Commission, they proposed incorporating the right to non-reelection in 2027, a ban on nepotism in all its forms, the requirement for public asset declarations for leaders, the practice of direct democracy by eliminating polls as a method for selecting candidates, and the inclusion of direct democracy mechanisms such as referendums, plebiscites, and popular initiatives in the Constitution.

They recommended including experts and representatives from all states for electoral reform with a federalist and republican perspective.

The group of activists who met with the media, several of whom were founders of the party in Jalisco, included Jaime Hernández Ortiz, Roberto Guijarro Romero, Lorena Ivette Martínez, Javier Orozco Alvarado, Francisco Javier Aréchiga Flores, Luis Carlos Saracho Alatorre, Jorge Ismael Barrios Zamora, and Miguel Ángel Cuaya Urceaga.