POLITICÓN: 120 candidates for the 4 coveted seats that will become vacant at the IEC

I. NEW COUNCIL

Every time the call for new IEC councilors is announced, the local political world erupts into turmoil: first due to the avalanche of applicants and then due to the inevitable guessing game over who will fill the coveted seats. This time, expectations are heightened, as three councilorships are at stake—those vacated by Juan Carlos Cisneros , Beatriz Rodríguez Villanueva , and Juan Antonio Silva —in addition to the big post: the presidency, which became vacant after the high-profile dismissal of Rodrigo Paredes , who will go down in history as the captain of the most shameful shipwreck in the Coahuila electoral institution.

II. THE FANTASY OF SPONSORSHIP

We're told the call attracted more than 120 applicants, who are anxiously awaiting May 6th, when the announcement will be made of those who passed the first round and will be able to take the exam on May 17th. As always, there are INE and IEC officials seeking promotion, many with unwritten letters of recommendation. Among councilors and political groups, few arrive without a "godfather," but those who presume to have the power to "crown" their favorites are often in for bitter surprises.

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III. PLAN IN PROGRESS

Continuing on the electoral front, we're told that Councilor Madeleyne Figueroa , a candidate for magistrate of the Regional Chamber, is gaining support. Although formally it will be the votes of the citizens that decide, everyone who understands these matters knows that the political operation of "D-Day" is worth more than a thousand campaign spots. Those in the know tell us that these strategic endorsements the councilor has secured are no coincidence: they are part of a well-structured plan to capture the coveted seat in Monterrey. And as an old electoral wolf tells us: "In these elections, whoever has operatives wins; whoever only has a resume loses."

IV. STRATEGIC SHIFT

In Coahuila, those familiar with the political chess game tell us that Figueroa now has the support of the dominant party's structure, which, although officially claiming to be outside the process, everyone knows will operate to promote their favorites. The reshuffle, which has surprised naive observers, has a simple explanation: their original candidate faces unexpected legal storms. And as veteran operators well know: "Power never bets on a loser."

V. DEFICIENT WORKS

An accident highlighted the questionable quality of the construction work in the República neighborhood: a concrete mixer truck overturned when the newly laid pavement collapsed, crushing a parked vehicle. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape in time before the impact. The incident occurred on Salvador González Lobo, next to the UAdeC Rector's Office. The street was reopened on Thursday, May 1, after the construction work was completed the day before. Antonio Nerio , Municipal Director of Public Works, must thoroughly investigate the work performed by the company TPN, responsible for the project, and issue the corresponding bonds for this failure that could have ended in tragedy.

VI. THEY WERE RIGHT

This isn't the first time this street has experienced problems. Last November, residents of González Lobo had already expressed their dissatisfaction with the construction company, which left the street "worse than before," criticizing the finishes and the trash. This latest incident confirms their complaints. City Hall must determine responsibility and hold the company accountable for its substandard work in the city. Experts suggest reviewing contracts and award criteria to prevent a repeat of these situations.

VII. ALARM

PRONNIF, headed by María Teresa Araiza Llaguno, undoubtedly faces a monumental challenge in addressing the situation faced by thousands of girls, boys, and adolescents whose rights are repeatedly violated in the state. The most serious cases involve those in which sexual assault is suspected, as the statistics paint an extremely discouraging picture: during 2024, 1,176 cases were handled in which a sexual crime was presumed to have been committed, and in the first three months of this year, 292 have already accumulated, indicating that the problem is not being effectively addressed.

VIII. PREVENTION IS MORE IMPORTANT

And it's not just about reacting appropriately when a minor is abused or suffers an attack on their integrity, but above all, about preventing such incidents from occurring. The best statistic that an institution like PRONNIF can boast is one that demonstrates society's abandonment of the worst behaviors of which we are capable—that is, acting preemptively, something that is clearly not happening.

IX. THE WORST MOMENT

According to the organization Reporters Without Borders, headed by Thibaut Bruttin , journalism is currently facing its worst moment in history, as conditions for practicing journalism have significantly deteriorated worldwide. Mexico is no exception, having dropped three places this year in the Paris-based organization's annual ranking, dropping from 121st to 124th out of a group of 180 nations. This data, which comes as World Press Freedom Day is celebrated, makes clear the challenge journalism faces at this current moment in history.