Mexico City, September 6, 2024 — Mexican lawmakers have approved a sweeping judicial reform that will allow citizens to elect judges at all levels of government, a move that could reshape the country’s judiciary. The bill, supported by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, passed the lower chamber of Congress and now heads to the Senate, where approval is expected due to López Obrador’s ruling coalition.
The reform would make Mexico the only country in the world to hold elections for judges on such a large scale. Currently, judges in Mexico are appointed based on merit and professional exams, but under the new system, about 7,000 judges would be required to campaign for their positions. The Supreme Court would also undergo changes, reducing its size from 11 to nine justices, with their terms shortened from 15 to 12 years.
López Obrador argues the reform is necessary to rid the judiciary of corruption and make it more accountable to the public. “This will make our courts more transparent and responsive to the will of the people,” he said in a statement.
Critics, however, see the move as a threat to judicial independence. Legal experts, business groups, and foreign officials have expressed concerns that the new system would allow political and private interests to influence court decisions. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, warned that electing judges could pose “a major risk to Mexico’s democracy.”
Protests have erupted across Mexico, with judicial workers and law students demonstrating against the reform. Supreme Court justices joined the protests, temporarily halting legal proceedings nationwide.
Despite the backlash, López Obrador’s political party, Morena, is expected to push the bill through, marking a significant shift in how Mexico’s judiciary operates. If passed, judicial elections could begin as early as next year, potentially altering the balance of power within the country’s legal system.
The international community is closely watching the developments, as the implications of the reform could ripple through Mexico’s political landscape and investment environment.