Mexico's Senate Gives Final Approval to Judicial Reform Electing Judges Amid Protests

Sep 11, 2024, 10:30 AM

Mexico's Senate has given final approval to a sweeping judicial reform that will see all judges elected by popular vote, a move that has sparked widespread protests and concerns about the potential politicization of the judiciary. The reform, championed by outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during his six years in power, aims to overhaul the country's judicial system, which critics argue could undermine the rule of law and threaten Mexico's democracy. The approval came after a contentious debate that was interrupted by hundreds of protesters storming the Senate building, forcing a temporary recess. Despite the disruption, the Senate resumed its session at an alternative location and passed the constitutional revision with 86 votes in favor and 41 against. The reform has drawn strong criticism from various quarters, including judicial workers, opposition parties, and international observers, who fear it could concentrate power in the hands of the ruling party and erode judicial independence.