Federal System in Mexico
Introduction
Mexico is a federal republic composed of 31 states and Mexico City (Ciudad de México), organized under the principles established in the Constitution of 1917. The federal system distributes powers between the federal government and state governments, with municipalities as the basic unit of local government. Articles 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 115 through 122 of the Constitution define the structure and powers of the federal system.
Constitutional Framework
Article 40 establishes that Mexico is a representative, democratic, secular, and federal republic composed of free and sovereign states in their internal affairs, united in a federation. Article 41 establishes that the people exercise their sovereignty through the federal powers and state powers. The Constitution enumerates federal powers (Articles 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 89, 104, 105, and others) and reserves residual powers to the states.
Distribution of Powers
The Constitution establishes exclusive federal powers (including foreign affairs, defense, interstate commerce, immigration, intellectual property, and energy), concurrent powers (including education, health, environmental protection, and public security), and reserved state powers (including civil, family, and criminal law, local taxation, and municipal affairs). The SCJN resolves conflicts over the distribution of powers through constitutional controversies.
States
Each of the 31 states has its own constitution, legislature, executive (governor), and judiciary. State governors serve six-year terms and may not be re-elected. State legislatures are unicameral. States have the power to legislate on matters not reserved to the federal government, administer state revenues, and organize local governments.
Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital of the federation and, following the 2016 political reform, is organized as a federal entity with its own constitution, a popularly elected Head of Government, a local congress, and a judicial system. Mexico City has status equivalent to a state for most purposes but is subject to specific provisions regarding its role as the seat of federal powers.
Municipalities
Municipalities (municipios) are the basic unit of local government, governed by Article 115 of the Constitution. Each municipality is governed by an elected ayuntamiento (municipal council) headed by a presidente municipal (mayor). Municipalities are responsible for public services, zoning, local public safety, and municipal taxation. Mexico has 2,469 municipalities.
Conclusion
Mexico’s federal system balances state sovereignty with federal unity, distributing powers across federal, state, and municipal levels. The SCJN resolves intergovernmental disputes through constitutional controversies, maintaining the constitutional distribution of powers.