The Mexico’s electoral institute gave the governing Morena party and its allies about 73% of seats in the lower house of Congress, despite the coalition winning less than 60% of the votes in the June 2 elections.

The ruling, which can be challenged in court, would grant the governing coalition the two-thirds majority needed for the Chamber of Deputies to approve changes in Mexico’s constitution. This move would give Morena and its allies approximately 364 seats in the 500-seat body, critics argue granting more power than they rightfully won at the voting booth.

The dispute stems from a law that distributes some seats in Congress based on proportional representation, aiming to give smaller parties representation in Congress. However, the law prohibits using proportional seats to grant any party a majority in Congress.

Morena allegedly maneuvered around this by “lending” winning candidates to allied smaller parties, ensuring a majority by proxy. The electoral institute ruled that the proportional seats rule applies to parties individually, disregarding the effect on a majority coalition.

While Morena and its allies narrowly missed a two-thirds majority in the Senate, they could potentially secure the necessary votes from a smaller party for constitutional changes. Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his successor Claudia Sheinbaum have vowed to utilize the majority for significant constitutional amendments.

The proposed changes have drawn criticism from investors, financial institutions, and the United States ambassador to Mexico, citing risks to Mexico’s democracy and the commercial relationship between the two countries.

The federal courts have experienced disruptions due to a strike by court employees protesting the judicial proposal, further emphasizing the contentious nature of the situation.

Morena’s agenda includes proposals to dismantle independent oversight bodies, a move critics argue would consolidate power in the hands of the government and jeopardize checks and balances.

With significant constitutional changes on the horizon, Mexico is on the verge of a political upheaval that could redefine the country’s governance and democracy.