September 23, 2024

Senators and members of the Lower House were sworn into office in Mexico on September 1st. Senator Gerardo Noroña (MORENA) stepped in as President of the Senate and Ifigenia Martinez y Hernandez (MORENA) as President of the Lower Chamber (also known as Chamber of Deputies). With a super majority, the Lower Chamber was quick to approve the controversial Judicial Reform brought forward by President Lopez Obrador. The judicial reform would allow judges and magistrates to be elected by popular vote, including Supreme Court judges. The reform was voted and approved the following week by the Senate. Of note, both sessions had to change locations amidst protests. 

Supreme Court Justice Norma Piña led unsuccessful efforts questioning whether judges could hold the reform while still in Congress. The reform then headed to discussion at the 32 State Legislatures, which within a day achieved majority securing ratification in 17 states including Baja California. Having achieved congressional approval and state ratification, President Lopez Obrador, joined by incoming president Claudia Sheinbaum, signed the reform into law on September 15th as part of Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations. 

Pushing back against criticism, incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente and incoming Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard shared their thoughts on the Washington Post, comparing the Mexican election of judges to the election of judges in some U.S. states.  

While the judicial reform passed, 17 other constitutional reforms introduced by President Lopez Obrador are yet to be voted on. These include the oversight of the National Guard under the National Defense, pension increase for seniors, declaration rights for the Indigenous and Afro-Mexican population, oversight of autonomous agencies, and a set of electoral reforms, among others. The Lower House is set to start hearing sessions on the National Guard to transfer under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat of Defense (SEDENA).