SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Controversial Reform in Mexico: The People Get to Choose Judges

Mexico becomes the first in the world to let the people elect all the country's judges. When the constitutional amendment was to be approved in the senate, the building was stormed by demonstrators.

» Updated: 16 September 2024, 15:51

» Published: 11 September 2024

Controversial Reform in Mexico: The People Get to Choose Judges
Photo: Eduardo Verdugo/AP/TT

The judicial system must not fall! Stop the dictator!

Hundreds of opponents to the legislative proposal stormed the senate in Mexico City during the final debate on the issue. After a pause, the voting resumed in an older senate building.

The reform, which was approved with a vote of 86–41, means that judges in both higher courts and at the local level will be elected by the people from now on.

Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has pushed for the change to be implemented before his successor, close ally Claudia Sheinbaum, takes over on October 1. The President has justified the change by saying that the current judicial system only serves the interests of the political and economic elite.

Critics argue that the reform threatens democracy and undermines the independence of the judiciary, as criminals may more easily be able to blackmail elected judges. In Mexico, powerful drug cartels often use bribes and threats to gain influence in politics and the judiciary.

Human Rights Watch has warned that the reform "will seriously undermine the independence of the judiciary".

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Rabbi gone missing – Israel suspects terrorism
1 MIN READ

Rabbi gone missing – Israel suspects terrorism

Massive Protest Against Housing Prices in Barcelona
1 MIN READ

Massive Protest Against Housing Prices in Barcelona

Putin's Trick: Fight - Get Debts Written Off
1 MIN READ

Putin's Trick: Fight - Get Debts Written Off

Election Victory for Modi's Party in Key State
1 MIN READ

Election Victory for Modi's Party in Key State

No Russian adoptive children to trans-friendly countries
1 MIN READ

No Russian adoptive children to trans-friendly countries

Sudan's military: Important city retaken
2 MIN READ

Sudan's military: Important city retaken

Hamas: Hostage Killed in Northern Gaza
1 MIN READ

Hamas: Hostage Killed in Northern Gaza

Families flee new deadly sectarian violence in Pakistan
1 MIN READ

Families flee new deadly sectarian violence in Pakistan

Trump wants to give Fox profile responsibility for public health
1 MIN READ

Trump wants to give Fox profile responsibility for public health

Let them kill us all
2 MIN READ

Let them kill us all

So EU will meet Trump - with Poland at the wheel
5 MIN READ

So EU will meet Trump - with Poland at the wheel

Norway: Will Arrest Netanyahu if He Comes Here
1 MIN READ

Norway: Will Arrest Netanyahu if He Comes Here

President threatened with murder – by Vice President
1 MIN READ

President threatened with murder – by Vice President

NATO Chief Discusses Global Security with Trump
2 MIN READ

NATO Chief Discusses Global Security with Trump

Now New Yorkers can be legally unfaithful
1 MIN READ

Now New Yorkers can be legally unfaithful

Opposition Leader Accused of Treason
1 MIN READ

Opposition Leader Accused of Treason

They can stop Trump's ministers
3 MIN READ

They can stop Trump's ministers

Canada confirms case of dangerous mpox variant
1 MIN READ

Canada confirms case of dangerous mpox variant

USA: North Koreans on their way into the Ukraine war
1 MIN READ

USA: North Koreans on their way into the Ukraine war

Six young people dead from toxic alcohol – Laos apologizes
2 MIN READ

Six young people dead from toxic alcohol – Laos apologizes