Mexico's Ruling Party Nears Majority for Controversial Constitutional Changes

Following defections by opposition senators, Mexico's ruling Morena party is close to securing a two-thirds majority in Congress. This would enable them to push through controversial constitutional changes, including making judges stand for election. Critics, including the US Ambassador, warn this could undermine judicial independence and democracy.

Following a pair of defections by opposition senators, Mexico's ruling party said Wednesday it is edging closer to a steamroller two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress.

The ruling Morena party of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it had won over two senators from the now-defunct Democratic Revolution Party (PRD). The PRD disappeared as a national party after failing to win a minimum of 3 per cent of the vote in the June 2 elections.

After being awarded a two-thirds majority in the lower house, the Morena party and its allies are now one vote away from a similar majority in the Senate. Those majorities would allow Morena to push through controversial changes to the Constitution.

(With inputs from agencies.)