Mexican Congress Approves Law on Public Access to Gov't-Funded Entities

The new law allows Mexicans to receive data from entities such as unions and political parties. It is aimed at curbing corruption and providing transparency.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The lower house of Mexico's Congress approved the General Law for Transparency and Access to Public Information, allowing public access to entities that receive governmental funding.

According to the Chamber of Deputies' Thursday press release, 264 voted in favor of the new law, 68 voted against and one abstained. The law was approved by the country's Senate last month.

"My appreciation to @Mx_Diputados for approval of the General Law of Transparency and Access to Public Information. With this historic Law, created in plurality, accountability of the Mexican state and the fight against corruption will strengthen," Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Twitter.

Mi reconocimiento a los @Mx_Diputados por la aprobación de la Ley General de Transparencia y Acceso a la Información Pública.

— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) 16 апреля 2015

Con esta Ley histórica, construida en la pluralidad, se fortalece la rendición de cuentas del Estado Mexicano y el combate a la corrupción.

— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) 17 апреля 2015

The freedom of information requests are currently available to obtain data from the government agencies. The new law would permit Mexicans to get data from entities such as unions and political parties.