Reuters reported on Sunday that a judge in Mexico issued an order prohibiting the lower house of Congress from discussing controversial judicial reforms, according to a legal document reviewed by the news agency.
Reuters states the order, issued by District Judge Martha Eugenia Magaña López, is intended to prevent lawmakers from debating and voting on the reforms until September 4, when the judge will determine whether a permanent suspension is necessary. Similar orders have previously been disregarded by officials, with the ruling Morena party’s leader in the lower house, Ricardo Monreal, calling such orders “undue and rude interference.”
If imposed, the judicial reforms will lower the age and experience required of judges and reduce the number of judges elected to the nation’s highest court. However, the main criticisms of the reforms surround the proposal for judges to be elected by popular vote, replacing the existing examination system used to select officials. This proposal has sparked concerns that the impartiality of the judiciary could be compromised, as the branch is likely to become politicized and influenced by the ruling party of the day. Current US ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar on August 22 expressed his belief the changes would pose “a major risk to the functioning of Mexico’s democracy.”
The reforms are among several controversial proposals by the Mexican government in recent months. Two new laws enacted in June received significant backlash for skewing power in favor of the executive by enabling the president to bypass typical procedures when granting amnesty to persons involved in ongoing criminal cases or those already sentenced by a court. Additionally, the laws also restricted the judiciary’s ability to provisionally suspend laws in cases of abuse of power.
Incumbent President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who is set to leave office next month, has denied allegations that the new reforms are centralizing power within the executive branch. During his final State of the Nation speech on Sunday, López urged symbolic support for the changes by having attendees show their approval by raising their hands. The next presidential term begins on October 1, which will see ruling party Morena, along with its allies that support the proposals, gain a majority in both the upper and lower houses. However, international tensions and domestic backlash, including court worker strikes, may impede the approval of any changes. The reforms are set to be addressed by lawmakers in early September.
