MANAGING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IN A CENTRALISED FEDERAL SYSTEM: The case of Mexico

ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the actions and decisions that federal, state, and municipal actors took during the Covid-19 pandemic within the applicable constitutional and legislative framework. It identifies what can be learnt about Mexico’s federal system by analysing the behaviour of the different levels of government. The argument made is that, in spite of a centralised federal system, states and municipalities played a significant role in combating Covid-19, thus reinvigorating that system. During the period from 18 March to 31 October 2020, it was possible to observe key federal issues play out in regard to the distribution of powers and responsibilities and intergovernmental relations. Although the federal government has broad legal powers in the fields of health and education, and in matters relating to the reopening of the economy, several governors, in spite of those powers, took the initiative to decide when to shut down their states’ economies and schools and adopted public health measures contrary to federal guidelines. The displeasure of states with the current fiscal arrangements also came to the surface, with calls for ʼnew federalism’ and a ʼnew fiscal pact’. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Nico Steytler.