Mexico City, commonly known here as the Distrito Federal, may soon receive the status of a state, allowing residents to elect a governor rather than a mayor for the first time.
The Mexican Senate recently voted to make the capital the country’s 32nd state. As the measure means amending the Mexican Constitution, it will need ratifying by two-thirds of Mexico’s state legislatures.
A new constitution for the capital will be drawn up following elections for the new legislative body, to be known as the Congreso Constituyente, scheduled for July 5, 2016.
The current Asamblea Legislativa del Distrito Federal (Legislative Assembly) will be converted into the new congressional body.
The measure has been debated for the last 15 years, but political parties had never been able to agree on a viable plan. All three of the major parties in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate came together to approve the most recent proposal.
The new status for Mexico City will allow the capital to create its own judiciary and vote on changes to the Mexican Constitution.
It will also give the capital more autonomy over its finances.
A major issue for capitalinos is the perceived inequality in the distribution of federal funds. Mexico City residents and companies pay half of the nation’s federal taxes but only receive eight centavos of every peso in return.