**Mexican House of Representatives Issues Declaration for Constitutional Reform of the Judiciary**
On Friday, September 13, 2024, during an ordinary session attended by 263 deputies, the Mexican House of Representatives announced the declaration of constitutionality for the Judicial Reform following its approval by 23 local legislatures throughout the week.
On the same day, the Senate of the Republic sent the Project of Declaration, which reforms, adds, and repeals various provisions of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States concerning the Judicial Reform, to the secretaries of the House of Representatives.
The dossier, signed by the president of the Senate, Gerardo Fernández Noroña, was backed by approvals from the legislatures of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Colima, Durango, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Mexico, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán, Zacatecas, and Mexico City.
Following a reading of the Senate’s project by Secretary Julieta Villalpando Riquelme, many legislators displayed banners with the slogan: “The people command.” Others near the podium held signs saying: “The reform goes!”
The Judicial Reform, initiated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, specifies that justices of the Supreme Court, magistrates of the Superior Chamber and regional chambers of the Electoral Tribunal, the Judicial Discipline Tribunal, Circuit courts, and District judges will be elected by the public in federal ordinary elections.
Additionally, the reform introduces anonymous judges for organized crime cases, ensuring the safety and protecting the identities of judicial personnel as per the procedures stipulated by law.
Another notable reform provision is the salary cap for public servants in the Judicial Power and Judicial Powers of the federal entities and Mexico City, ensuring their earnings do not exceed the president’s remuneration as stated in the budget.
Sergio Gutiérrez Luna, Vice President of the House of Representatives, assumed the presidency for the session, replacing Ifigenia Martínez y Hernández. He declared the formal amendment of the Constitution, stating, “In terms of Article 135, the constitution is amended, supplemented, and repealed concerning Judicial Reform,” and announced its submission to the Federal Executive for publication in the Official Gazette.
President López Obrador mentioned in his morning conference that the reform would be published on Sunday, September 15. The session ended amid chants of “Judicial reform, popular mandate” and “It’s an honor to be with Obrador,” with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 18.
Some parliamentary seats were noticeably empty, as opposition deputies had suggested their absence from the session the previous day.
**Secondary Article: Broader Implications and Continued Reactions to the Judicial Reform**
Further developments on the Judicial Reform have sparked significant debate and reactions across Mexico. Other news reports detail various legal analysts and opposition parties expressing concern over the implications of electing judges, fearing it may compromise judicial independence and lead to increased politicization.
In another perspective, some civil society organizations welcome the reform, believing it will democratize the judiciary and increase accountability. The issue of anonymous judges, especially in organized crime cases, has also gathered attention. Many advocate for such measures, emphasizing the risks faced by judges in high-profile cases.
However, concern remains about the potential for abuse and the opaque nature of their identities. Various stakeholders across the judicial and political spectrum continue to voice diverse opinions as the country prepares to witness significant changes in its judicial system.
As this reform moves closer to execution, TJGringo.com will continue to monitor and report on these evolving dynamics, providing in-depth coverage and varied perspectives on how these changes will shape Mexico’s legal landscape.