### Batres Eliminates “Respect for Private Property” Principle from CDMX Constitution
On September 2, 2024, Martí Batres Guadarrama, the head of Mexico City’s government, issued a decree removing the “respect for private property” principle from the city’s constitution. This decree, published in the Official Gazette of the capital, modifies Section A, Clause 2, Article 3 of the local constitution to align with Article 27 of the federal Constitution of the United Mexican States.
In a ceremony held at the Old City Hall, Batres stressed that this reform secures private, public, and social property within the framework of Article 27 of the federal constitution. He claimed the changes lay the foundation for a fair and harmonious development model that prioritizes public interest over private concerns in the city.
The reform aims to eliminate ambiguity that could allow the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, to interpret local laws in favor of powerful economic groups at the expense of public interest. The updated clause now explicitly recognizes Mexico City’s property within its public domain and common use, as well as ejidal and communal property.
Batres traced the controversy back to the 2017 constitution, which he claimed adhered more to the outdated principles from the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. According to him, the neoliberal era had distorted the interpretation of Article 27, sidestepping its original intent to prioritize social and national interest over private property.
The recent amendment ensures that all forms of property—private, public, and social—must serve the public interest. Congratulating the local Congress on its third legislative session, Batres announced more legislative reforms aimed for September 2024, urging the swift formation of pertinent committees.
Batres also highlighted the significance of Article 27, which grants the nation the right to regulate private property in favor of public interest, ensuring an equitable distribution of wealth and sustainable development.
### Secondary Article: Workers of SCJN Join Strike Over Judicial Reform
In a related development, workers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) have joined ongoing strikes in opposition to the proposed judicial reforms. They rejected a recent request by Martí Batres to halt their strike, arguing that the reforms violate commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The National Union of Judiciary Employees (JUFED) warned that the reforms could hinder Mexico’s judicial independence and warned the Congress about potential non-compliance with international agreements. As the debate intensifies, the political landscape is seeing increased polarization over judicial authority and economic policies.