Mexico’s Supreme Court Judges Resign Amid Controversial Judicial Reforms
A significant majority of judges from Mexico’s Supreme Court have resigned and chosen not to run for re-election in light of contentious judicial reforms, the court announced on Wednesday. This unprecedented move comes as Mexico prepares to implement a system where voters will select judges at all levels starting next year, making it the first country in the world to adopt such a practice.
Eight out of the eleven Supreme Court justices, including the court’s president, Norma Pina, have opted out of the upcoming elections scheduled for June 2025, with most resignations effective next August. This announcement coincides with the Supreme Court’s consideration of a proposal aimed at invalidating the election process for judges and magistrates. President Claudia Sheinbaum has asserted that the court does not have the authority to reverse the constitutional reform enacted by Congress.
Sheinbaum suggested that the judges’ motivations for resigning may be linked to financial benefits, stating, “If they resign now, they will leave with all their retirement benefits.” The reforms, initiated by former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, were framed as necessary to rectify a judiciary seen as corrupt and serving elite interests. Critics, however, warn that the election of judges may lead to political influence and susceptibility to pressure from drug cartels, raising concerns about judicial independence and integrity. The reforms have sparked protests, diplomatic tensions, and apprehension among key international partners like the United States and Canada, who view these changes as detrimental to investor confidence in Mexico’s legal system.
