World
Mexico Enacts Historic Judiciary Overhaul under President López Obrador
Discover how President López Obrador’s administration is transforming the Mexican judiciary with historic reforms. Explore the implications of this overhaul on justice, governance, and the rule of law in Mexico.
Historic Overhaul of Mexico’s Judiciary
On Sunday, Mexico enacted a groundbreaking constitutional amendment that fundamentally transforms its entire judiciary, marking an unprecedented overhaul of a court system by a major democracy. This significant legislative change highlights the considerable influence wielded by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has been a staunch advocate for this reform.
The passage of this amendment comes on the heels of López Obrador’s allies achieving substantial legislative majorities in the June elections, which enabled them to push through this contentious proposal during the final weeks of his presidency. The law was officially published in the government’s gazette just before Mexico’s Independence Day, solidifying its status as law.
This reform shifts the judiciary from a traditional appointment-based system—predicated largely on qualifications and training—to a novel framework where judges are elected directly by voters. This new approach significantly lowers the barriers for individuals wishing to run for judicial positions, placing Mexico on an uncharted path with uncertain consequences.
In a video shared on social media on Sunday night, López Obrador declared, “Now it’s different. Now it’s the people who rule, the people who decide,” with his successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, seated beside him.
Under the new system, approximately 7,000 judges, ranging from the chief justice of the Supreme Court to judges at local levels, will be required to run for election. The implementation of these changes will occur gradually, with a significant portion of the judiciary set to be elected in 2025 and the remainder in 2027.
The government has justified this ambitious overhaul as a necessary step to modernize the judicial system and restore public trust in a framework long marred by corruption, nepotism, and influence peddling. With Sheinbaum assuming office on October 1, she has expressed unwavering support for the plan, indicating a commitment to enacting these sweeping reforms.