Commissar SFLUFAN Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 Why are Mexico’s judges striking over AMLO’s proposed judicial reforms? WWW.ALJAZEERA.COM Change pushed by the Morena party would see judges elected by popular vote, in what some see as a political power grab. Quote Thousands of judicial workers and judges have gone on strike this week in Mexico, as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, known as AMLO, seeks to advance a massive overhaul of the country’s courts. At the core of the proposed reforms is a controversial plan to elect federal judges — including Supreme Court appointees and electoral magistrates — by popular vote. Lopez Obrador has said the change is needed to root out corruption. But critics see the move as the latest salvo in the ongoing tensions between Lopez Obrador and the judiciary. Experts like Julio Rios Figueroa, a law professor at the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) in Mexico City, warn that the reforms could eat away at the government’s checks and balances, not to mention destabilise the justice system. “It will create administrative chaos and uncertainty in many areas,” Rios Figueroa told Al Jazeera. “It will also end judicial independence and judicial autonomy in Mexico.” Quote What is in the latest proposal? Under the plan, judicial candidates would be nominated by the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government. They would then be vetted by special committees created by each branch to ensure they have the credentials needed to serve. Finally, the candidates would be put to a popular vote. Speaking at a news conference last week, top Morena lawmaker Ignacio Mier said several changes had been made to an earlier version of the bill to allay criticism. The plan would see staggered elections, with half the judges — including members of the Supreme Court — elected in 2025 and the other half elected in 2027. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_m_b_m_b_m Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 Electing judges is stupid, but even this proposal is better than what we have here lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.