MEXICO CITY, Sept 10 (Askume) – Mexico’s ruling bloc secured the votes needed to pass a judicial reform bill late on Tuesday, with an opposition senator making a dramatic break with party leaders to express his support for a bill that critics fear could jeopardise reform.
The ruling Morena party and its allies are just one seat away from the two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional reforms that would reform Mexico’s judicial system through universal suffrage for judges.
Amid shouting in the House of Representatives, Miguel Angel Yunus of the opposition PEN Internacional party said he would support the reform, thwarting efforts by a much-weakened opposition to block it.
Opposition lawmakers accused the ruling party of using cunning tactics to secure a majority, including trying to bribe and detain a senator so he could not vote. Morena has denied any wrongdoing.
Senators will vote on the reforms later in the day, with debate expected to last until Wednesday morning.
The political drama followed a day of tense debate that was disrupted for hours as protesters forced their way into the Senate building. It sparked weeks of widespread protests against the reforms and spooked markets.
Senate President José Gerardo Fernández adjourned the session and asked lawmakers to remain calm as protesters gathered on the upper floor of the Senate chanting “traitor” against the reforms.
The debate is likely to continue till Wednesday morning.
Mexico’s main trading partners, the United States and Canada, have warned that the change could undermine the three-country trade agreement, the USMCA, and have a negative impact on investment.
A key element of the constitutional reforms proposed by outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is to elect more than 6,500 judges and magistrates, including the Supreme Court, through universal suffrage.
The reforms also propose reducing the number of Supreme Court judges from 11 to 9, reducing terms of office to 12 years, and reducing the work experience requirement from 10 to 5 years.
Critics slammed it as a double use of power by the ruling party Morena.
López Obrador and newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum have strongly defended the reform, saying it is necessary to make judges accountable and reduce corruption.
