Mexican Congress Passes Sweeping Judicial Reforms Amid Protests

Mexico's lower house passed significant judicial reforms mandating elections for judges, amid controversy and protests. The ruling Morena party argues that this change will combat judicial corruption, while opponents fear it undermines judicial independence. The proposal now heads to the Senate and, if passed, requires approval from most state congresses.

In a landmark decision, Mexico's lower house of Congress passed sweeping judicial reforms on Wednesday, mandating that all judges stand for election. The controversial measure aims to tackle corruption within the judiciary but has faced substantial criticism and protests.

The legislation, propelled by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's Morena party, passed by a 359-135 vote in a marathon session. The session had to be moved to a gymnasium due to protesters blocking the main Congress building. The proposal is now set to face a tight vote in the Senate.

Critics argue that the reforms could devastate judicial independence and make the system vulnerable to criminal influence. International voices, including US Ambassador Ken Salazar, have expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on Mexican democracy and foreign relations.

(With inputs from agencies.)