Mexico has become the first country to allow voters to elect judges in various judicial bodies.
- Mexico’s Senate has approved the judicial reform bill under which judges will be elected by popular vote.
- Supporters of bill say the changes will make judges more accountable to the Mexican people but critics argue it undermines the country’s system of checks and balances and will strengthen the power of the governing Morena party.
- The reform includes; the popular election of more than 6,500 judges, magistrates and ministers, including for Mexico’s Supreme Court. Judges for the highest court have traditionally been affirmed by the Senate from a shortlist submitted by Mexico’s president.
- The reform also reduces the number of Supreme Court judges to nine from 11, cuts the length of their terms to 12 years, abolishes a minimum age requirement of 35, and halves necessary work experience to five years. Judges will also be able to work anonymously on cases involving organized crime.
