MEXICO CITY – Mexico has introduced a new system that will totally transform the country’s judiciary, as the judges are going to be elected through popular vote.

In this connection, outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador signed a decree which was followed by publication of constitutional changes in the government gazette on Sunday, meaning that the judicial reforms have officially taken effect.

The latest development is major victory of Obrador who would be replaced by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum on Oct 1.

Meanwhile, the Mexican voters will elect the federal judges, including that of the Supreme Court, in June next year.

THE PROCESS

On Wednesday, the Senate had approved the sweeping judicial reforms by 86 to 41 votes, which removed the last hurdle in executing the plan championed by Obrador.

The approval followed a tense final legislative debate and high political drama as the ruling coalition began Tuesday one seat short of the supermajority needed to write the reform into the constitution.

But an opposition lawmaker broke party ranks to vote in favor of the bill, while another was absent amid allegations that he had been detained to stop him from voting.

Earlier, the legislation had sailed through the Lower House with a majority of 359 against 135, after over 12 hours of debate, as the ruling Morena party and its allies managed to secure the required numbers.

Besides, electing judges being elected through ballot, the constitutional amendments also mean the number of Mexico’s Supreme Court judges has been reduced to nine from 11, their terms to 12 years and the required work experience by half.