**Primary Article: Bertha María Alcalde Luján Among Leading Candidates for Mexico City’s Attorney General Position**
On November 12, 2024, the Citizen Judicial Council held its first public session following the closure of the candidate search to fill the role of the Attorney General of Justice of Mexico City (FGJ-CDMX). This session took place to find a successor to Ulises Lara López, who has been temporarily handling the responsibilities of the position.
Out of nine individuals who registered for the role, seven have made it past the initial screening and will continue in the selection process. Notably, Bertha María Alcalde Luján, a former director-general of the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), is among those still in the running.
The seven candidates moving forward include: Anaid Elena Valero Manzano, Bertha María Alcalde Luján, Fernando Moreno Caballero, Francisco Javier Rodríguez Espejel, José Alejandro García Ramírez, Mario Alberto Martell Gómez, and Ulrich Richter Morales. Meanwhile, two other candidates were disqualified due to missing financial statements and other essential documentation.
As outlined, the candidate evaluation will proceed through public opinion input and hearings with citizen advisors from November 13-16, followed by interviews from November 18-20. Pre-selection approval will be finalized by November 22, trustworthiness exams are scheduled for November 23-28, and the final shortlist will be publicly released on December 2.
Currently, Ulises Lara López serves as the acting head of the FGJ-CDMX and the General Coordinator of Advisors. In related political developments, Claudia Sheinbaum, a notable political figure, has invited the previous FGJ-CDMX head to join her Senate campaign.
In other moves, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador had appointed Bertha María Alcalde Luján as ISSSTE’s new director-general earlier this year, entrusting her with the organization’s ongoing transformation, aimed at enhancing medical facilities and service delivery for millions of state workers.
**Secondary Article: Mexico City’s Attorney General Selection Sparks Public Interest**
The public and political interest surrounding the selection of the new Attorney General of Justice for Mexico City is intensifying. Bertha María Alcalde Luján’s candidacy, in particular, is drawing attention given her previous governmental roles and familial connections with prominent political figures.
Alcalde Luján’s involvement in various government initiatives, from her time managing legal affairs to directing medical service improvements, highlights her experienced background, a critical factor in her candidacy’s momentum.
As the public hearing phase begins, stakeholders from diverse sectors are eager to share their opinions with the selection committee, underscoring the crucial nature of effective judicial leadership in Mexico City, a hub of significant political and social activity.
Simultaneously, news of Ulrich Richter Morales being among the candidates continues to garner intrigue, given his previous legal victories in landmark cases concerning individual rights and his legal battles with major corporations like Google.
The selection process remains rigorous and transparent, with the Citizen Judicial Council ensuring broad community involvement, a reflection of the increased demand for accountability and capability in the city’s law enforcement leadership.