Protests in Mexico as controversial judicial reform passed
Mexico’s Senate has passed a contentious judicial reform that will elect judges through a popular vote. Proponents argue that this will increase judges’ accountability to the Mexican people, while opponents believe it threatens the nation’s system of checks and balances and could enhance the influence of the ruling Morena party.
The bill has sparked protests and strikes, with demonstrators even breaching the building where the vote occurred. This Senate vote was the final significant obstacle for the legislation, which is supported by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
During a dramatic late-night session, an opposition senator broke ranks and voted in favour of the reform, meaning it had the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional change.
There will be further debate on points raised by lawmakers on details of the bill before it is given its final approval but the general vote on Wednesday morning was the key one.
Its approval is a victory for President López Obrador, whose term is coming to an end on 30 September.
The outgoing president had thrown his weight behind the reform after repeatedly clashing with Mexico’s Supreme Court, which during his six-year term has blocked some of his proposed changes in the energy and security sector.
