(Expansion) – The day of June 6 left several lessons that will lead to a new stage in the relationship between entrepreneurs and the so-called fourth transformation. Reconciliation is to be seen.
Victories are not eternal. In the business ecosystem, there is good cheer for the election results, as the checks and balances in Congress are thought to be good news; However, doubts persist around the positions that the legislative majority could take on difficult issues such as a new episode of the electricity reform, the new fiscal model and the budget package for 2022.
The business sector, at this moment, is looking closely at the configuration that Congress could take, the role that the Green Party will play, the profile of the multi-member deputies … The opposition bloc to the so-called fourth transformation could be an ally, but weave ties with certain groups and legislators it would be more effective to tie future negotiations in benefit of the business agenda.
The tirade is not a good counselor. The elections ended in peace, but the feeling still lingers that government radicalization is a fact. But the private sector does not want to pay for it. Instead, it will deploy campaigns to position itself in the collective imagination as an ally of economic reactivation. For example, transnational companies will reinforce their messages about their contribution to generating quality jobs, with higher than average salaries.
Some business leaders, initially, have already met with the president and have already touched down with Rogelio Ramírez de la O, future Secretary of the Treasury. Its strategy is to remain yes or yes at the negotiating table and not stop, at any time, to put the emphasis on the work that the current administration has, to guarantee a good business environment to attract investment and generate quality jobs.
With its nuances, the business narrative persists in defending the foundations of liberal democracy and market economy, but it is not entirely clear that the presidential will moves under the same terms.
Reconciliation does not mean talk. The post-election fever has given account of certain signals from the president to call for joint work with businessmen. It is aware that the dreamed of economic growth will not come without private investment. But, for this second half of his term, his words must be accompanied by actions. Given current conditions, Mexico will certainly grow economically, but not to the potential it could. The United States will propel us, but it is very possible that we will recover the pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023 or until 2024. The ball is in the court of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Society is the key ally. Entrepreneurs are obliged to read a message that came from the polls, whether they like it or not, it has to do with the vote of confidence that a wide sector of society gave to the ruling party. Thus, a good sign to combat polarization is working on the social dimension of the Mexican business community; Yes, it is necessary to have profit and profit margins, as is also to increase the integral perceptions of the workers.
“There is a social exclusion that should concern us, which with the elections has intensified. This is not the fault of the businessmen, but of a daily rhetoric of division. But it is clear that we have to do much more for social inclusion; for spending more on offering decent jobs and a little less on profits, “says a businessman who asks not to be identified.
Group vision leads nowhere. The strategy to accompany or counteract the plans of Andrés Manuel López Obrador will continue to capture spotlights, but the great challenge that businessmen have is in their own ranks, in analyzing the way forward to guarantee their unity and not maintain the pulverization that weakens them in the face of to the presidential power. If they intend to influence as a bloc in the next three years, it is not possible to sustain a dialogue with political power only through large capitals, thinking that medium and small businessmen will follow them. That will not happen.
**********
These days, far from the spotlight, a momentous negotiation is taking place between businessmen and the government. Vaccination of company workers is at the center of the conversation and it is expected that the best procedure for inoculation will soon be defined. At the dialogue table, the possibility of vaccinating against COVID-19 in industrial parks has been raised. The deal is close.
Editor’s Note: Jonathán Torres is a business journalist, media consultant, former editorial director of Forbes Media Latam. Follow him on and on Twitter as. The opinions published in this column belong exclusively to the author.
