By Diego Oré
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico’s lower house of Congress on Wednesday approved a reform to abolish most of the country’s autonomous bodies that regulate some economic sectors and ensure government transparency, a measure that could deepen tensions with the U.S. and risk potential credit rating downgrades.
Lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies voted for the measure with 347 votes in favor to 128 against, with no abstentions, after hours of at times heated debate, some lawmakers exchanging jeers and personal insults.
A final vote on objections raised about details of the reform is expected to take place on Thursday. It would then move to the Senate, where ruling party Morena holds a large majority.
The measure is one of several constitutional reforms presented by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in February – and backed by current President Claudia Sheinbaum – which he said was aimed at cutting back public spending by centralizing the state apparatus.
The reform proposes scrapping autonomous public bodies including antitrust watchdog Cofece, telecommunications regulator IFT, energy regulator CRE, hydrocarbon regulator CNH and public information and data protection office INAI.
