Mexico’s Senate has approved a contentious judicial reform that allows judges to be elected through a popular vote. Proponents of the reform argue that it will enhance accountability among judges, making them more responsive to the populace. However, detractors warn that it could erode the country’s system of checks and balances and consolidate power within the ruling Morena party. The legislation has sparked widespread protests and strikes, with demonstrators even breaching the building where the Senate vote was to occur.
During a tumultuous late-night session, the proceedings were interrupted when protesters chanting “the judiciary will not fall” entered the chamber. Following this disruption, senators relocated to a different building to proceed with the vote, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday local time. Senators were called individually to cast their votes. Notably, Senator Miguel Ángel Yunes, defying his opposition National Action Party, voted in favor of the reform, which secured the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments.
Legislators then deliberated on various aspects of the bill before granting it final approval. This outcome represents a significant win for President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term concludes on September 30. The president has championed the reform after facing numerous disputes with the Supreme Court, which has overturned some of his proposed changes in the energy and security sectors during his administration. López Obrador has criticized the judiciary, claiming it serves the interests of the wealthy and white-collar crime.