A contentious bill aiming to alter the judicial selection process in Mexico has received approval from the lower chamber and is set to proceed to the Senate, where it is anticipated to secure passage as well.
Advocates of the reform, including President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, assert that it will enhance accountability among judges. However, opponents contend that it undermines Mexico’s system of checks and balances. The proposed judicial reform has sparked strikes among judicial workers and demonstrations in multiple cities nationwide.
In a dramatic session lasting over 12 hours, the Chamber of Deputies voted overwhelmingly in favor of the reform, with 359 votes for and 135 against. Lawmakers convened in a sports hall after protesters blocked access to the legislative palace.
Despite widespread dissent, the governing Morena party, which maintains a two-thirds majority in the lower house, swiftly advanced the bill. It will now undergo debate in the Senate, where Morena is just one vote short of a two-thirds majority.
President López Obrador is eager to finalize the judicial reform before the end of his term on September 30. Throughout his administration, he has publicly criticized the Supreme Court for impeding his proposed changes in energy and security.
The recent general elections resulted in a decisive victory for López Obrador’s Morena party and its presidential candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, who is a proponent of the judicial reform. López Obrador argues that the electoral success indicates strong public support for the overhaul of the judiciary.
Currently, Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and approved by senators. The new proposal mandates that justices, including those on the Supreme Court, will be elected by popular vote. Supporters believe this will enhance accountability to voters, while critics warn it could lead to undue influence from local power brokers, potentially including organized crime.
Opponents argue that the reform fails to address vital issues plaguing Mexico’s judicial system, such as high impunity rates and chronic underfunding. Concerns have also been voiced by international figures, with the US Ambassador to Mexico labeling the direct election of judges a significant risk to the country’s democracy. The Canadian ambassador echoed these sentiments, highlighting investor concerns over stability in the judicial system.
In response to the criticisms from foreign diplomats, President López Obrador emphasized the need for respect for Mexico’s sovereignty.
