Mexico’s Senate passes controversial judicial reform bill

Mexico became the world’s first country to allow voters to elect judges at all levels after protesters invaded the upper house and suspended debate on the issue. The reform was approved with 86 votes in favor and 41 against, garnering the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution.

What is it? 

• Mexico’s Senate has approved a controversial judicial reform under which judges will be elected by popular vote.
• Supporters say the changes will make judges more accountable to the Mexican people but critics argue it undermines the country’s system of checks and balances and will strengthen the power of the governing Morena party.

Views of chief

• The new Chief of Government of Mexico City, Carla Brugada said “I recognize the senators who fulfilled the popular mandate and voted to approve the Judicial Reform that will allow the people to elect their judges, magistrates and ministers, and will make justice more accessible to all.”
• Mexico is living historic moments of profound transformation and the Judiciary cannot be left behind. The people establish and the people remove.”

Opposition point of views

• Opposition to the reform was fierce.
• Opponents’ main criticism stems from the controversial election of more than 6,000 judges by popular vote, which they claim would politicize the judicial system and allow further infiltration of organized crime into the courts. 

Public reaction

• The reform has proven highly divisive.
• Law students and employees of the judicial sector held rallies in major Mexican cities to oppose it and many went on strike in protest.
• Critics fear the independence of the judiciary could be at risk with both the executive and legislative already dominated by Morena (Ruling Party).
• The changes could pose “a major risk” to Mexican democracy and enable criminals to exploit “politically motivated and inexperienced judges,” US Ambassador Ken Salazar.
• Financial market analysts say investor concerns about the reforms have contributed to a sharp fall in the value of the Mexican currency, the peso, which has hit a two-year low against the dollar.