8 Mexican judges resign after controversial reforms
Eight of Mexico’s 11 Supreme Court justices have resigned in protest of new reforms that would change how judges are chosen in the country.
These reforms, a first of their kind worldwide, would allow citizens to directly elect all judges, including Supreme Court justices.
The resignations will officially take effect on August 31, 2025, after a national election for judges is held on June 1, 2025.
Proposed by the federal government, the constitutional bill was approved by Mexico’s Senate with 86 senators voting in favour and 41 against it.
Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña announced the resignations on October 30.
Chief Justice Norma Piña who was among the eight who tendered their resignations indicated that it is an “act of congruence and respect of the constitutional text” that governs them.
Another justice, Maria Aguilar, will see her resignation begin on November 30, 2024, the end of her current term.
The constitution was modified in September after the reform was announced by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The president noted that the move aims to root out corruption in the judicial system and make it an institution that serves the interests of the general public rather than a few selected majority.
The reform has largely been described as one that will erode the independence of Mexico’s judiciary and breed more corruption.
Local reports say 400 lower court judges have also indicated their disinterest in contesting in next year’s elections.
