In triumph for Mexico's outgoing president, voters can soon elect judges
Mexico's incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum also celebrated the approval on social media, congratulating lawmakers on an overhaul that she argues fulfills the popular will
Mexico's Senate early Wednesday approved a sweeping judicial reform that will overhaul the country's judiciary by electing judges by popular vote, a profound transformation that critics fear could threaten the rule of law and damage the economy.
The reform marks a major win for outgoing leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in his final month in office.
In a marathon session that had to be paused and relocated as protesters broke into the Senate building, the ruling Morena party and allies clinched the final two-thirds supermajority vote needed to approve the reform, which has prompted protests, a strike by judicial workers and market volatility.
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Senators voted 86 to 41 in favor as the ruling bloc cheered and applauded.
Mexico's incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum also celebrated the approval on social media, congratulating lawmakers on an overhaul that she argues fulfills the popular will.
"The regime of corruption and privileges is becoming a thing of the past and a true democracy and the rule of law are being built," she wrote in a post on X.
The approval followed a tense final legislative debate and high political drama as the ruling coalition began Tuesday one seat short of the supermajority needed to write the reform into the constitution.
But an opposition lawmaker broke party ranks to vote in favor of the bill, while another was absent amid allegations he had been detained to stop him from voting.
Leaders of Lopez Obrador's Morena party denied any wrongdoinIt's a sad day for our Mexico," said Senator Alejandro Moreno, president of the centrist opposition PRI party. The reform won passage thanks to "the worst tricks and under unimaginable pressures and coercions."
Lopez Obrador, who has often clashed with top judges, has repeatedly argued that the reform is vital to restoring integrity to Mexico's judiciary and ensuring it serves the people rather than elite and criminal interests.
"It's a sad day for our Mexico," said Senator Alejandro Moreno, president of the centrist opposition PRI party. The reform won passage thanks to "the worst tricks and under unimaginable pressures and coercions."
Lopez Obrador, who has often clashed with top judges, has repeatedly argued that the reform is vital to restoring integrity to Mexico's judiciary and ensuring it serves the people rather than elite and criminal interests.
