# Federal Deputies Approve General Judicial Reform in Alternate Location
In an alternate venue following 12 hours of heated discussions and six rounds of interventions, the full assembly of the LXVI Legislature of Mexico’s House of Deputies approved, in general, the constitutional reform of the Federal Judicial Power (PJF) at 4:24 a.m. on September 4, 2024. The session took place in the Sala de Armas of the Magdalena Mixhuca sports unit, located in the Iztacalco district.
The reform received 359 votes in favor from members of the Morena, Green Ecologist (PVEM), and Labor (PT) parties. Conversely, 135 votes against were cast by the National Action (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary (PRI), Citizens’ Movement, and Democratic Revolution (PRD) parties, who voiced their strong objections.
Discourse over the reform continues with more than 610 reservations presented by the opposition. After the approval of the general terms, the bill will be submitted to the Senate for further discussion and potential approval first in committees and then in the full assembly. Following Senate approval, the reform would be forwarded to the President for publication in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF).
During the debate, opposition legislators alleged several “illegalities” in the session, claiming there was no quorum to discuss the judicial reform. Nonetheless, Sergio Carlos Gutiérrez Luna, the president of the House of Deputies’ managing board, denied these allegations, asserting that the requisite number for approval was indeed present.
PAN members called for “resistance” and protested the judicial reform, displaying messages on t-shirts and placards. Meanwhile, Ricardo Monreal Ávila, Morena’s parliamentary group coordinator, defended the reform, stating it would not affect workers’ rights and that it aims to construct a globally exemplary justice system. He also claimed the reform would dismantle a “dictatorship of the robe and the gavel.”
Simultaneous to the legislative session, law students from various universities staged a demonstration, blocking Viaducto Río de la Piedad near the venue. They voiced grievances and slogans, demanding to be heard by the deputies of the “fourth transformation.” The protest lasted until 7 p.m., without any resolution being reached.
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the elected president, interrupted her vacation to express support for the judicial reform, asserting that it would not affect Mexico’s commercial relationships or private investments. Using social media, she emphasized the democratic aspect of the reform, encouraging a deeper understanding of the amendment proposed by the House’s constitutional points committee.
Patricia Aguayo Bernal, spokesperson for the PJF workers, called for dialogue with Sheinbaum, warning against a potential clash that could disrupt national peace and stability.
## Additional Article: Political Tensions Rise Over Judicial Reform
The approval of the judicial reform is creating waves across Mexico’s political scene, with government officials and opponents deeply divided over its implications.
Nora Ruvalcaba, a deputy from Morena, reiterated the need for the judicial reform, arguing it is essential to break the power concentration within the judiciary. “We’re offering more democracy and transparency to the judicial processes,” she stated during a press conference.
Meanwhile, PAN leader Marko Cortés declared the reform an “attack on judicial independence” and called for the mobilization of citizens to oppose it. He warned that the approval process had bypassed several legal and parliamentary protocols, including proper quorum verification.
International observers are also keeping a close watch on the developments. The European Union urged Mexican authorities to ensure that the judicial reforms comply with international standards for independence and impartiality. Concerns are rising about potential impacts on foreign investments and the rule of law in Mexico.
As the Senate prepares to review the approved reforms, both sides are gearing up for what promises to be an intense period of political maneuvering. The government insists the judicial overhaul is a step towards a more equitable justice system, while critics argue it paves the way for executive overreach.
The outcome of this legislative effort will likely have a profound impact on Mexico’s political landscape, setting the tone for governance and legal frameworks in the years to come.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for ongoing coverage and analysis of these critical developments.