Mexican voting rights

Yesterday's Miami Herald highlights the dispute over the right of Mexican citizens to vote from abroad, particularly in the US.

President Fox should definitely get behind this reform. In terms of policy, it's a good message that Mexicans retain their rights as citizens even if they temporarily leave their country to find work to support their families. In terms of politics, the PAN (Fox's party) benefits, as does the PRD. The only party to lose votes will be the PRI, because most Mexicans living abroad want reform in Mexico and because a majority of migrants come from areas where the PRI has lost power.

Obviously, the PRI is standing in the way of this reform. However, Fox has enough political capital to call a special session of Congress before the July deadline. At best, the reform will pass and Fox can leave one last mark on Mexican democracy. At worst, the PRI will appear weak on immigration issues, of which many Mexicans consider voting a key part. The PRI has already taken one hit for putting politics above democratic reforms in the desafuero vote. Can they handle another?