On September 17, Mexico City officially leaves the Federal District behind

The last minute of September 16 will close a cycle in the history of Mexico City, as the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District (ALDF) will disappear to make way for the first local Congress of the capital. The work of this final Legislature must conclude before Monday, September 17, when the first Legislature of the Congress of Mexico City begins and the 66 new local legislators will take control from the federal government. That Monday, the local Constitution also enters into force and the head of government, José Ramón Amieva, will present his work report, either in person or in writing, which will be his decision, informed the president of the Commission of Local government, Leonel Luna Estrada. The next session of the Permanent Delegation of the ALDF is scheduled for next September 12 and two days later, the 66 new legislators will be fingerprinted, take the photograph and receive their credentials. The Federal District has long been considered an administrative district run by the central government, much like Washington, D.C. traditionally has been in the United States. But the city of 8.85 million is getting more independence under a measure signed into law by President Enrique Pena last year. The capital will lose the designation “federal district” as it gains greater independence in the latest stage in the city’s long, somewhat equivocal relationship with the rest of the country.