Mexico published a constitutional amendment requiring candidates for president, state governor and Mexico City head of government to hold only Mexican nationality from the 2028 electoral process. Other citizenship must be renounced before candidate registration. Congress and states have 90 calendar days to adapt their laws, while implementing rules will specify the renunciation procedure.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a constitutional amendment requiring single nationality for candidates for president, state governor and head of the Mexico City government. Candidates holding another nationality must renounce it before seeking registration, starting with the 2028 electoral process. The decree was published on October 7 in Mexico’s federal official gazette, Diario Oficial de la Federación.[1], [3], [2]
Presidential legal adviser Luisa María Alcalde said implementing rules would set out the renunciation procedure. It could involve authorities in the country whose nationality is being relinquished as well as Mexico’s foreign ministry. The amendment changes constitutional articles 82, 116 and 122. The government says the measure does not generally prohibit other Mexicans from retaining dual nationality.[1], [3]
The decree takes effect the day after publication, but its candidacy provisions apply from the electoral process corresponding to 2028. People already holding the specified offices when it takes effect are exempt. Congress and the states have 90 calendar days to adapt nationality and electoral legislation and the relevant state constitutional provisions.[1]
The new provisions also bar officeholders from acquiring or applying for another nationality. They cover the use of a foreign passport or identity document, exercise of political rights attached to foreign citizenship and requests for another state’s diplomatic protection. Existing presidential qualifications include Mexican citizenship by birth, a Mexican father or mother and at least 20 years of residence in the country.[1]
