From a gymnasium, not Congress, Mexico’s lower house fast-tracks controversial judicial reform bill 

Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico’s ruling Morena party and its allies on Wednesday fast-tracked President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s controversial judicial reform amid attempts to stop the bill’s debate, which forced lawmakers to gather in a Mexico City gymnasium instead of Congress.

The reform passed Mexico’s lower house with 357 votes in favor, 130 votes against, and zero abstentions.

The constitutional reform, which empowers the Mexican people to elect all judges and magistrates at the federal level through a popular vote, was presented by López Obrador in February of this year, causing massive concerns and protests nationwide. 

The debate was held at the Magdalena Mixhuca Sports Complex, the largest sports center in Latin America, 15 minutes from Congress, after students and judicial workers blocked entry to the government building to stop the reform from being approved. 

Since August 21, over 55,000 judiciary workers and justices have gone on an indefinite strike to protest the reform, shutting down all tribunals and courtrooms in the country. 

Critics call the reform an attack on the country’s democratic system.

However, after 17 hours, Morena and its allies, which control 74% of Congress, effortlessly approved the bill, moving it toward the Senate. 

During his morning briefing on Wednesday, President López Obrador congratulated the lawmakers who approved his initiative, maintaining that despite criticism, the bill is intended to cleanse the body of corruption. 

“There is no reason to worry. I congratulate the legislators who are seeking to cleanse the judiciary of corruption. Do not forget that what is at stake is that the people elect judges, magistrates, and ministers,” he said. 

However, López Obrador’s detractors, including his political opposition, have denounced the initiative as an attempt to subvert the judiciary and consolidate Morena’s already overwhelming power. 

“We will participate in the vote, and our position will be against it because this initiative means the subjugation and co-optation of the Federal Judiciary,” said Senator for the conservative PAN party Guadalupe Murgía.

Following Mexico’s general elections in June, the ruling party has amassed great power, securing the presidency and majority in both chambers of Congress. 

President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum joined her party’s celebrations and assured that the reform would not jeopardize democracy or investments in the country. 

“More democracy, more justice, more freedom. The judiciary reform does not affect our commercial relations or national or foreign private investments. On the contrary, there will be more and better rule of law and democracy for all,” she said. 

The Senate is currently reviewing the reform for its possible approval and is set to review and debate the initiative between September 10 and the 11. 

Although Morena and its allies initially had 83 of the 128 lawmakers in the Senate (they need at least 85 to enjoy a qualified majority and 86 to fast-track the bill), two lawmakers from the now defunct Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) have joined Morena, leaving them one seat short of fast-tracking the reform. 

President of the Senate for Morena’s allied party, the Labor Party, Gerardo Fernández Noroña assured that they already have the last vote necessary to secure the reform and change the Constitution. 

“Yes, I would say that we have enough, but you will see on the day of the vote (…) I believe that we will have more than two thirds,” he said.