This week two steps were taken towards reducing the amount of money spent in Mexican federal elections.
First, a proposal to reduce the public financing of parties by 50% during presidential elections and reduce the same by 70% during non-concurrent legislative elections was introduced into congress. This initiative also would reduce the length of the official campaign period (from 186 to 90 and 60 to 45 days, respectively) and cap private donations to political parties at 10% of the expenditure limits.
Second, the three main parties (PAN, PRI, PRD) approved a reform that would prohibit the purchase of tv/radio time by parties during campaigns — the only time they would get would be that provided by the state. The same measure would regulate/limit air time for the government (lest governing parties have an advantage), though this requires a constitutional amendment. The measure is off for a Senate reading and then will return to the lower chamber.