Accelerates the 4T judicial reform

The so-called Fourth Transformation is moving towards consummating its judicial reform project, despite the turbulence it causes in the financial markets.

The judicial reform project proposed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador considers the election by popular vote of 1,688 positions by June 2025, including the Ministers of the Supreme Court.

This constitutional reform project requires a qualified majority in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, something that Morena and allies only achieved in the lower house.

The initiative orders the election by popular vote of the members of the Supreme Court, the Electoral Tribunal, a new Judicial Disciplinary Court (TDJ), as well as all District Judges and Circuit Magistrates in the Country.

According to the guidelines of the reform, the National Electoral Institute (INE) would have to organize the election of at least 1,688 positions in June 2025, of which only 21 would be voted on throughout the country, while the rest would be divided by state. .

Nearly 10,000 people could aspire to these positions, since the reform empowers the Executive, Congress and the Court to nominate several candidates for each position.

Both President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the virtual President-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, have agreed that the objective is for judges, magistrates and ministers to be elected at the polls.

President López Obrador made it clear that within the reform of the Judiciary, something immovable is the popular election of judges, magistrates and ministers, although the possibility of reducing the number of positions is being analyzed.

Asked whether the consultations will suggest changes to his original initiative, AMLO responded: “Yes, the irreducible thing would be the election.”

They have also agreed that the nervousness of the financial markets will be temporary, since the reform seeks to improve the administration of justice.

“The Mexican economy is solid, so these are special moments and it will adjust, there is no nervousness or problem,” said Sheinbaum. “We are sure, therefore, of the solidity of the national economy.”

If Morena wants to facilitate the reform, it could limit the popular election to the 21 top positions of the PJF, since the Court can attract and revoke the vast majority of the relevant sentences handed down in lower bodies.

The presidential initiative also requires the election by popular vote of just over 5,000 judges and magistrates of the 32 state courts.

A MEGA CHOICE

These are the positions that would be submitted to the popular vote, if the initiative to reform the Judiciary is approved.

SUPREME COURT
– 9 Ministers (currently there are 11)
– For 12 years (currently 15 years)

REQUIREMENTS:
– Be 35 years old
– Lawyer with 10 years of seniority
– Not having held office the year prior to their election

ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL
– 7 Superior Chamber Magistrates
– 18 judges from Regional Chambers
– For 6 years (currently for 9 years)

REQUIREMENTS:
– Be 35 years old
– Lawyer with 10 years of seniority
– Not having held office one year prior to their election

JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE COURT
– 5 members (the Judicial Council would disappear)
– For 6 years

REQUIREMENTS:
– Be 35 years old
– Lawyer with 10 years of seniority
– Not having held office the year prior to their election

JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES
– 1,659 district judges and circuit magistrates

REQUIREMENTS:
– Be 30 years old to aspire to be a Judge and 35 years to be a Magistrate
– Lawyer with 5 years of seniority
– Not having held public office in the year prior to election