A controversial bill that would change how judges are elected in Mexico was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate, where it is also expected to pass.
Supporters of the bill, which includes President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, believe it will help hold judges accountable, but critics say it weakens Mexico’s institutions balance system.
Judicial reform has triggered strikes and demonstrations by judicial workers in many cities across the country.
A Supreme Court judge is the latest judge to stop working in protest at planned measures to see magistrates and judges elected by popular vote.
After more than 12 hours of sitting, the House of Representatives passed the reform with an overwhelming majority of 359 votes in favor and 135 votes against.
Lawmakers held a meeting in the gymnasium after demonstrators blocked the entrance to the Legislative Palace.
Despite the protests, the ruling Morena party quickly pushed the bill through the House of Representatives, where it holds the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution.
The bill will now be debated in the Senate, where Morena falls just one vote short of a two-thirds majority.
President López Obrador is eager to see judicial reforms approved before his term ends on September 30.
During his six-year term, the president has been particularly critical of the Supreme Court for blocking some of his proposed reforms in the energy and security areas.
His Morena party and its presidential candidate Claudia Scheinbaum won a landslide election in June, with Ms Scheinbaum supporting judicial reform.
Mr López Obrador believes his party’s electoral success shows Mexicans support his proposals for judicial reform.
He has long lobbied for judicial reform, arguing that the current system is corrupt and inefficient.
Supreme Court justices are currently nominated by the president and then confirmed by senators.
Under the new system, judges – including those on the Supreme Court – must stand for election and be elected by popular vote.
López Obrador believes participating in the elections will make them more accountable to Mexican voters, but critics say it could expose them to the influence of powerful local figures, including those with ties to organized crime.
Opponents of the reform also say it does not address many of the key problems facing Mexico’s justice system, such as high levels of impunity and chronic underfunding.
Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, is one of those who has spoken out against the approach, saying that “direct popular election of judges is a significant risk to the functioning of Mexican democracy.”
His comments were echoed by the Canadian ambassador, who said Canadian investors were concerned about the proposed changes.
“them [the investors] You want stability, you want a justice system that works when things go wrong,” Ambassador Graeme Clark said.
President López Obrador was outraged by the comments and “suspended” relations with the countries.
“They must learn to respect Mexico’s sovereignty,” he said.
