What is the most powerful political party in Mexico?

Answer 1

Unlike the United States, where Democratic and Republican parties are the most powerful - and some would argue to be the only "existing" parties - there are three parties in Mexico that are considered to be the most prevalent:

Partido Accion Nacional or National Action Party (PAN) - is a right-oriented, conservative party more akin to the Republican party in the United States. Currently (2010), the Mexican president, 35% of the chamber of deputies and 34% of the senate chamber are members of this party.

Partido Revolucionario Institucional or Institutional Revolucionary Party (PRI) - is an in-between party, with both leftist and rightist policies. It held an undisputed power on Mexico's politics for more than 70 years until the 2000 presidential elections, where PAN's Vicente Fox won. Due to the losing war on drugs, the economic crisis and the Swine Flu scare, it is very likely that the next Mexican president will be a member of this party. Besides, the PRI has a strong hold on the congress, with 28% of the deputy seats, and 28% of the senate.

Partido de la Revolucion Democratica or Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) - is a left-oriented, more liberal party, more akin to the Democratic party in the United States. It has won important gubernatorial seats such as Mexico City, which holds almost 25% of the country's population. It also holds 29% of the chamber of deputies and 30% of the senate.