Mexico’s Senate has granted final approval to a comprehensive reform of the judiciary, marking a significant step toward a controversial constitutional amendment that will subject all judges to elections.
Critics worry that this shift could politicize the judiciary and endanger the country’s democratic institutions.
During an intense session lasting more than 12 hours, which was interrupted and relocated after protesters breached the Senate building, the ruling Morena party and its allies secured the necessary two-thirds majority vote to approve the changes.
These reforms have already sparked protests, a strike by judiciary workers, and fluctuations in the financial markets.
In the final vote, senators voted 86 to 41 in favor of the reforms, with members of the ruling coalition celebrating the result.
This outcome is seen as a victory for outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has strongly advocated for the proposal.
The judicial overhaul will become law once it is published in Mexico’s official gazette.
This approval came after a highly charged political atmosphere, as the ruling coalition initially lacked the super-majority required to pass the constitutional reforms.
However, one opposition lawmaker broke party lines to support the bill, while another opposition senator was absent amid allegations of being detained to prevent his vote. The Morena party denied any involvement in this incident.
“It’s a sad day for our Mexico,” remarked Senator Alejandro Moreno, president of the opposition PRI party. He accused the ruling party of using underhanded tactics to push the bill through, claiming it was passed through “the worst tricks and under unimaginable pressures and coercions.”
The judicial reform represents a substantial achievement for López Obrador, who argues that the changes will help tackle corruption by making it easier to hold judges accountable.
Protests in Mexico (Photo: Luis Cortes)
However, critics argue that the reforms could weaken the judiciary, fill the courts with judges loyal to the president’s party, and allow less-qualified individuals to become judges, making the courts more vulnerable to political and criminal influence.
Mexico’s key trading partners, the U.S. and Canada, have also expressed concerns, warning that the reforms could undermine the USMCA trade agreement and discourage investment.
Financial markets have reacted to the judicial changes with alarm, as Mexico’s peso has depreciated by 17% since the June 2 elections, when Morena achieved a landslide victory.
During the Senate session on Tuesday, demonstrators broke into the building, waving Mexican flags and shouting “traitors,” which led to a temporary pause and relocation of the session.
Among the protesters was Alejandro Navarrete, a 30-year-old judiciary worker, who stated, “Our intention is not violent, we didn’t intend to hurt them. But we intend to make it clear that the Mexican people won’t allow them to lead us into a dictatorship.”
The constitutional reform, which was approved by the lower house last week, includes provisions for the popular election of over 6,500 judges and magistrates, including members of the Supreme Court.
It also reduces the number of Supreme Court judges from 11 to 9, shortens their terms to 12 years, lowers the minimum age requirement from 35, and reduces the necessary work experience to five years.
Mexico’s incoming president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who will take office on October 2, will be responsible for managing the repercussions of this overhaul, which is likely to dominate the early months of her administration.
