1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21561Updated July 28, 2003Mexicos Congress and July 2003 Electionsname redactedSpecialist in Latin American AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryOn July 6, 2003,
2、 Mexico held nation-wide elections to renew the membership ofthe 500-seat Chamber of Deputies and to elect local officials in ten states. Coming atthe mid-point of the six-year term of President Vicente Fox, these elections, bydetermining the balance of power in the lower chamber of Congress, signif
3、icantly affectPresident Foxs ability to enact his programs and set the stage for coming presidentialelections in 2006. Official results indicate that President Foxs conservative NationalAction Party (PAN) fared poorly, while the long-ruling centrist InstitutionalRevolutionary Party (PRI) secured a d
4、ominant position in Congress, and the leftist Partyof the Democratic Revolution (PRD) increased representation in Congress andconsolidated local control in the Mexico City Federal District. This suggests thatPresident Fox will have even more difficulty enacting his proposals in the newCongress. This