Mexico's Morena Party Avoids Desertion Crisis Ahead of 2024 Elections

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard to Remain in Party, Work as 'Second Force'

Mexico's ruling Morena party, led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has avoided a potential desertion crisis ahead of the 2024 elections.
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, who had sought the party's presidential nomination, announced he would not leave the party despite losing the nomination to former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.
Ebrard has reached a 'political understanding' with Sheinbaum and will continue working as 'the second force' within Morena.
Morena has named its candidates for eight governorships and Mexico City's mayoral election, dodging another potential high-profile defection by ruling out the most popular candidate for the capital city's mayorship due to a gender quota.
Despite López Obrador's continued popularity, there have been only a few minor defections from Morena.