Andres Oppenheimer'sTake on Mexico's New (But Old) Anti-Corruption Fix Andres Oppenheimer - Miami Herald
go to original April 23, 2015

After a series of corruption scandals, Mexico has created a government-backed National Anti-Corruption System that — to my surprise — is getting good reviews from some leading independent anti-graft groups.

Some respected anti-corruption groups, such as Transparency International, say Mexico’s new approach could perhaps even become a model for Brazil, Argentina and other countries shaken by government corruption cases.

The new National Anti-Corruption System was approved by Mexico’s Congress late Tuesday with the support of the country’s two biggest opposition parties. Because the wide-ranging plan requires a constitutional change, it will have to be approved by a majority of the country’s state legislatures.

It follows a series of government corruption scandals that have taken a heavy toll on the popularity of President Enrique Peña Nieto. The scandals included Mexico’s first lady Angelica Rivero’s purchase on favorable terms of a $7 million house — now commonly known in Mexico as the “White House” — from a major government contractor.

...My opinion: The biggest problem with Mexico’s new National Anti-Corruption System is not what it plans to do, but the fact that it will have to be approved by state legislatures and implemented by enabling laws that may be watered down by state governors and local politicians.

As for the plan itself, while it has several flaws — such as not making it substantially easier to impeach a sitting president on corruption charges — it’s a new approach that may be worth trying.

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