In the context of the Socialists and Democrats delegation to Mexico, the chair of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, Iratxe García, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the parliamentary group of the Morena party in the Mexican Senate.

Iratxe García said:

“The government of López Obrador has raised hopes and expectations that we share, as we share his agenda to reduce both social and regional inequalities, to promote a model of economic trade that includes norms and contributes to social development, and to advance in equality between men and women.

“This is why faced with common global challenges and threats to multilateralism, it is more important than ever to strengthen the cooperation between progressive forces. With this aim we have signed today this memorandum of understanding, to establish a frame through which both parliamentary groups can continue to share our concerns, to exchange good practices and to work together for a global progressive agenda.”

The S&D president made this statement right after a meeting with Mexican senators together with two other S&D MEPs: Kati Piri, who is the vice-president for foreign policy, and Javi López, who is co-chair of the EU-Latin America Parliamentary Committee (EUROLAT) and member of the delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Over three days, the S&D delegation held several meetings. Among others, with the Secretary of Economy, Olga Sánchez Cordero; Secretary of Economy Graciela Márquez Colín, with the head of government of Mexico City Claudia Sheinbaum, and also with diverse civil society organisations.

One of the main topics addressed during the meetings was gender equality and the fight against violence against women. On March 9, feminist groups have called for a national strike in Mexico, and they have the support of numerous institutions, organisations and businesses, who are mobilising against a wave of crimes against women that have shocked the country.