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Mexico judicial-election plan to go ahead

A plan by the Mexican government to require the direct election of candidates to judicial posts is to go ahead after a vote by the country’s Supreme Court yesterday (5 November).

Seven of the 11 judges voted for a measure to scale back some of the changes, but this fell short of the eight votes required.

The changes, which are opposed by many professional bodies, had been passed by the country’s legislature last month.

IBA concerns

The vote averted the threat of a constitutional crisis that would have pitted the executive against the judicial branch.

The plans to elect judges were proposed by previous Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and supported by his successor Claudia Sheinbaum.

The elections for judicial posts – including the Supreme Court – are due to be held in June next year.

Earlier this year, ahead of its annual conference in Mexico City, the International Bar Association said that the plans raised “serious concerns”.