Mexico Approves Controversial Judicial Overhaul

A controversial judicial reform has been approved by a majority of Mexican state legislatures. The reform mandates that judges be elected by popular vote, and it recently passed both houses of Congress. President Lopez Obrador announced that 18 state legislatures had approved it, marking a key legislative milestone.

A majority of Mexican state legislatures have greenlit a contentious judicial overhaul, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Thursday, marking a significant legislative victory.

The sweeping reform, requiring judges to be elected by popular vote, cleared a key hurdle when two-thirds of Senators approved it following an intense overnight debate. Having already passed the lower house earlier this month, the reform will be enacted once published in the government's official gazette.

Constitutional amendments in Mexico require a two-thirds Congressional vote and the backing of a majority of the 32 state legislatures. In his morning press conference, President Lopez Obrador confirmed 18 local legislatures had approved the measure. He reiterated his hope that the reform would be published by September 15, just before Mexico's Independence Day.

(With inputs from agencies.)