Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has championed a judicial reform package that would see federal judges elected by popular vote. The reform is set to be enacted on September 15, after receiving approval from a majority of state legislatures. The bill has already been approved by the lower chamber of Mexico’s legislature and was recently passed in the Senate. Lopez Obrador’s Morena party, which has a supermajority in the lower chamber and nearly in the Senate, has been pushing for this change before the end of his term.
Opponents of the bill, including thousands of federal judges, magistrates, and court workers, have been protesting against the reform. They argue that allowing voters to elect federal judges could erode the judiciary’s independence, as the Morena party is expected to have a significant influence on the election of judges. Critics have labeled the changes as a move towards “autocracy,” expressing concerns about concentration of power and potential political interference in the judiciary.
The reform will make Mexico the first country in the world to allow voters to elect federal judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court. Despite widespread protests and international criticism from organizations such as the International Bar Association and Human Rights Watch, Lopez Obrador has defended the reforms. He believes that the changes are necessary to establish an “authentic democracy” in Mexico and to combat the corruption that has plagued the country’s criminal justice system for years.
Legal experts have criticized the reform for not addressing the root causes of corruption within the judiciary system. They argue that more comprehensive measures are needed to truly tackle the issue. However, Lopez Obrador remains adamant that the reform will ensure that Mexican citizens have a direct role in electing the three branches of government – the executive, legislative, and judicial. The president’s popularity remains high, despite reaching the end of his six-year term, and he sees these reforms as a crucial step towards creating a more transparent and democratic system in Mexico.
During the Senate debate on the reform, hundreds of protesters stormed the chamber, expressing their opposition to the changes. The protesters chanted slogans against what they perceive as a threat to the independence of the judiciary, calling on senators to stop what they see as a move towards dictatorship. The public backlash and demonstrations highlight the deep divide and concerns surrounding the judicial reform package in Mexico.
As the country prepares for the enactment of the judicial reform, the government faces continued scrutiny and opposition from various groups. The reform is seen as a pivotal moment in Mexico’s political landscape, with potential long-term implications for the country’s democracy and rule of law. Despite the challenges and criticisms, Lopez Obrador is determined to see these changes through, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the country’s governance.
