Mexico Politics: Cat Candidates and the Need for Civic Action - Sergio Aguayo Sergio Aguayo - sergioaguayo.org
go to original July 18, 2013

There are those who described as 'catharsis' the nomination of animals in the July 7 election. It's much more than that.

The "candigato [candidate-cat] Morris" stirred up the mayoral election in Xalapa [the capital of the state of Veracruz]. He came in fourth in preference based on a charisma constructed from his freedom and independence, his ability to pursue rats, and the announcement that he would dedicate his time to romp and rest. The protest was replicated elsewhere with donkeys, chickens, parrots and dogs. Politicians in Veracruz were so upset that they branded it a "joke", "madness" and a lack of "respect for the institutions and the elections".

... Did the 2009 null vote campaign and the 2013 animal candidacies work? Definitely. They showed that the majority is completely fed up with the political parties and politicians, with the corruption, the impunity and the inefficiency. Putting on my scholarly hat, they illuminated a structural asymmetry seldom considered: public awareness has grown, but it has not increased the social capital expressed in civic participation, or the number of civilian agencies.

Read the rest at Mexico Voices

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