**Leonel Godoy Denies Claims on Judicial Elections Costing More Than Presidential Elections**
Leonel Godoy, a member of the Mexican political party Morena and president of the Constitutional Points Commission, has refuted claims regarding the financial burden of the upcoming elections for judges, magistrates, and ministers slated for January 1, 2025. According to Godoy, it is untrue that these elections will surpass the cost of the 2024 presidential elections, contrary to some projected figures.
Discussions are currently underway within the Budget Commission among coordinators and electoral advisors about the financial implications of this election. The National Electoral Institute (INE) has pending approval for a project budget close to 13 billion pesos for the judicial elections. However, Godoy called these figures speculative and cited a more reasonable estimate of slightly over 6 billion pesos for conducting these elections.
The federal election earlier this year, where voters elected a president, deputies, and senators, cost around 8 billion pesos. In a broader budgetary context, the INE is slated to request more than 40 billion pesos from the Chamber of Deputies, which includes allocations for a popular consultation and funding for political parties.
Godoy criticized recent strikes by judiciary workers, labeling them as politically motivated rather than genuine grievances, reaffirming the guaranteed rights for judges and judicial workers. He expressed optimism about the upcoming judicial reform, predicting a fairer justice system that is less financially burdensome for the Mexican populace.
Further legislative sessions are expected to address constitutional amendments related to judicial powers, while discussions regarding the dissolution of autonomous bodies like INAI are currently on hold for a thorough review.
**Secondary Article: Judicial Elections’ Cost Overestimation Sparks Controversy**
In recent developments, the proposed budget for Mexico’s judicial elections has caused a stir in political circles. Reports suggesting nearly 13 billion pesos for the election expenditure have raised eyebrows, sparking debates among lawmakers and electoral bodies.
Opposition voices expressed concern about such a hefty budget, questioning the necessity and transparency of these allocations. The cost controversy comes amidst broader discussions on electoral financing, with the INE’s comprehensive budget proposal, which also covers a national consultation and political party funding, nearing 40 billion pesos for 2025.
While some believe the budget reflects realistic electoral needs, others call for a more frugal approach to ensure electoral integrity without burdening the state’s finances. As these discussions continue, the INE and government officials are urged to provide clarity and justifications to quell public skepticism over election spending.