Mexican Supreme Court Faces Crisis as Eight Justices Resign Over Controversial Overhaul
Mexico’s Supreme Court is facing an unprecedented crisis as eight of its justices have announced their resignations, rather than stand for election under a controversial judicial overhaul passed last month, The Associated Press reports.
The move comes as a direct response to the sweeping reform, which was spearheaded by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and has been met with widespread criticism. The reform, which requires all judges to stand for election, was seen by many as a move to politicize the judiciary and undermine its independence.
Supreme Court President Norma Piña and seven other justices submitted letters stating their intention to leave their posts rather than participate in the elections scheduled for next June. Only three justices have indicated they will compete in the elections.
The resignations come just days after Congress passed another constitutional change aimed at shielding the judicial overhaul from legal challenges. The amendment, which passed with a significant majority, effectively blocks the Supreme Court from reviewing the reform, further escalating tensions between the judiciary and the government.
The overhaul has been met with strong opposition from various sectors, including business groups who fear it will weaken the rule of law. The Mexican Employers’ Association (Coparmex) has stated that the reform “puts at risk the fundamental guarantees that have protected citizens for decades.”
Supporters of the reform, including López Obrador’s successor Claudia Sheinbaum, argue that it is necessary to root out corruption within the judiciary. However, critics believe the changes will lead to greater political influence over the courts and weaken the checks and balances that ensure a fair and independent judicial system.
Sheinbaum has even publicly suggested that the justices who choose not to participate in the elections risk losing their pensions, adding further pressure to the situation.
