Thousands protest Mexican judicial reform

On a Sunday in Mexico City, thousands of Mexicans, primarily court employees and law students, gathered to protest a controversial judicial reform proposal. This initiative, pushed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, aims to allow judges to be elected by popular vote, a change that has raised significant concerns among various stakeholders. The Senate began debating the proposal, which has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies, where the ruling party holds a majority. The proposed reform has sparked diplomatic tensions with the United States, which has expressed concerns that it could undermine investor confidence in Mexico's legal framework. Protests erupted as demonstrators chanted that the judiciary would not fall, reflecting widespread opposition to the changes. Striking judicial workers have sought intervention from the Supreme Court, although Lopez Obrador has dismissed their request as lacking legal basis. Chief Justice Norma Pina publicly criticized the reform, warning that it could lead to the demolition of the judicial branch. She suggested that the court would consider its jurisdiction to halt the reform and proposed alternative reforms for consideration. Pina urged the government and Congress to heed the voices of the Mexican people regarding the proposed changes. As the Senate prepares to vote on the initiative, the outcome remains uncertain, with significant implications for the future of Mexico's judiciary and its relationship with the United States. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between the government and judicial independence, as well as the potential impact on financial markets and public trust in the legal system.