Mexico

How does one gain power? 

• The president is elected by a simple majority of registered voters in the thirty-one states and the Federal District. 

How is power divided? 

• The government is divided into an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch.
• The President heads the executive branch. There is no vice president. A Mexican president is only allowed to serve one six year term. 
• The legislative branch is a bicameral congress. Congress has the power to pass laws, impose taxes, declare war, approve the national budget, approve or reject treaties and conventions made with foreign countries, and ratify diplomatic appointments.There is an upper chamber, which addresses all matters concerning foreign policy, approves international agreements, and confirms presidential appointments and a lower chamber, which deals with the government's budget and public expenditures. Both chambers draft, discuss, and approve legislation and ratify high-level presidential appointments. Members of Congress can serve more than one term, though the terms cannot be consecutive.
• The judicial branch is divided into federal and state systems. The highest court is the Supreme Court of Justice, consisting of twenty-one magistrates and five auxiliary judges, all appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate or the Permanent Committee. 

Explain the political system: 

• Mexico has a presidential system with strong and independent legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The president is elected by majority vote for a six-year term.
• Mexico is a federation integrated by 31 States and a Federal District. Each State elects its own governor and legislature; municipal authorities are chosen at the local level.
• The Chamber of Deputies has 500 members, elected for a three-year term; 300 elected by simple majority in single-member districts, and 200 elected by proportional representation in five 40-member regional districts.
• The Senate has 128 members, elected for a six-year term. Each state elects three senators, and in addition 32 are elected by proportional representation on a single nation list.
• Re-election for consecutive terms in prohibited for all federal deputies and senators.
• Legislators can be elected to the other chamber when their term expires, and they can be re-elected to the same cture; municipal authorities are chosen at the local level.

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