Mexico’s Ruling Bloc Secures Senate Votes for Judicial Reform, Reports Reuters

By Cassandra Garrison

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s ruling coalition has seemingly secured enough votes to pass a contentious judicial reform bill after an unexpected shift by an opposition senator, who broke party lines to support the measure. Critics of the reform express concerns that it undermines the rule of law.

The ruling Morena party and its allies were just one seat shy of the two-thirds majority needed to approve the constitutional change, which would allow judges to be elected by the public.

Amid jeers from the chamber, opposition senator Miguel Angel Yunes of the PAN party announced his support for the reform, effectively thwarting the weakened opposition’s efforts to block it.

Opposition members accused the ruling majority of employing dubious methods to gain the votes needed, including alleged bribery and the detention of a senator to prevent his participation in the vote. The Morena party has denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

Senators are expected to vote on the reform later, with debates anticipated to extend into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The day’s political drama unfolded during a tense debate that was temporarily interrupted when demonstrators stormed the Senate building, escalating weeks of protests against the proposed reform, which have also unsettled markets.

Senate President Jose Gerardo Fernandez suspended the session, urging lawmakers to maintain composure as demonstrators filled the upper chamber, chanting accusations of "traitors" in response to the reform.

Concerns regarding the impact of the proposed changes have reached Mexico’s primary trading partners, the United States and Canada, who have warned that the reforms could jeopardize the USMCA trade agreement and deter investment.

The core of the constitutional reform, initiated by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, seeks to enable the popular election of over 6,500 judges and magistrates, including those serving on the Supreme Court.

Additionally, the proposed reform aims to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices from 11 to nine, shorten their terms from 11 to 12 years, and decrease the required work experience for candidates from ten years to five.

Critics have condemned the proposal as a blatant move to consolidate power within the ruling party, Morena. Yet, Lopez Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum have robustly defended the reform, asserting its necessity for accountability among judges and for combating corruption.