What's happened
On November 5, 2024, Mexico's Supreme Court rejected a proposal to limit judicial elections to only Supreme Court justices. This decision follows significant unrest, including the resignation of eight justices, and raises concerns about the independence of the judiciary amid ongoing political tensions.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the Supreme Court's ruling was not about the validity of the judicial overhaul but rejected challenges from opposition parties. The New York Times highlights the political tensions surrounding the overhaul, noting that the ruling party, Morena, is determined to push through reforms despite significant opposition. Bloomberg reports that the court's decision reflects a broader constitutional crisis, with the judiciary asserting its independence against legislative encroachment. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexity of the situation, with legal experts warning of potential threats to democracy and the rule of law.
How we got here
The controversy stems from a constitutional amendment passed in September 2024, mandating that nearly all judges in Mexico be elected rather than appointed. This overhaul has faced widespread opposition from the judiciary and civil society, raising fears of politicization and erosion of judicial independence.
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Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea
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Andrés Manuel López Obrador is the 58th and current President of Mexico, since 1 December 2018.
Born in Tepetitán, in the municipality of Macuspana, in south-eastern state of Tabasco, López Obrador graduated from the National Autonomous University of