Mexico Approves Major Judicial Reform: A Constitutional Amendment

Mexico’s Ambitious Judicial Overhaul: A Constitutional Amendment

On Thursday, the states of Mexico moved rapidly to transform the nation’s entire judicial framework by approving a groundbreaking amendment to the Constitution. This initiative represents the most extensive judicial reform ever attempted by a major democracy. The proposed changes aim to replace the existing appointment-based system with a model wherein judges are elected by the voters, steering Mexico onto an uncharted path with unpredictable ramifications for its legal landscape and governance.

Supporters of this overhaul argue that it will diminish corruption and empower citizens by providing them with a more significant role in a justice system that is widely perceived as dysfunctional. However, detractors express serious concerns, alleging that the Mexican government, which has advocated for these changes, risks undermining the rule of law by politicizing the judiciary. They warn that this shift could enable the ruling party to exert greater control over judges, thereby compromising the essential checks and balances within the government.

The proposed judicial reform has the potential to displace thousands of judges across the country, impacting everyone from local court judges to the chief justice of the Supreme Court. This transformation would fundamentally restructure a critical branch of government tasked with administering justice in the third-most populous nation in the Americas.

The logistical challenges posed by this reform are formidable. Mexico would need to initiate new elections for thousands of judges, starting as early as next year, to implement this sweeping change effectively.

On Wednesday, Mexico’s Senate successfully passed the amendment. By Thursday morning, a majority of state legislatures had also ratified the amendment, paving the way for it to reach the desk of the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He has been a long-time proponent of this initiative, which has sparked significant public demonstrations both in favor of and against the reforms. The proposed changes have also drawn cautionary remarks from legal experts and warnings from the U.S. and Canadian ambassadors regarding the potential implications for Mexico’s judicial integrity.