The Mexican Senate convened to vote on a judicial reform package that includes several constitutional amendments, including the popular election of judges. The judicial package, submitted by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose term ends on September 30, was approved with 84 'yes' votes against 41 'no' votes. While opponents took to the streets to protest the decision, hundreds of people entered the Senate building to express their reaction to the lawmakers.
The vote brought protests with it. Following the vote, the public stormed the Senate. Opponents of the judicial reform who entered the Senate building kicked the doors. Activists who entered the hall where the session was being held chanted slogans calling the senators 'traitors.' The session was interrupted due to the protests.
During the session held at night, the two-thirds parliamentary majority required for constitutional change was achieved after an opposition lawmaker changed their decision at the last minute to support the reform package.
Those who support the judicial reform argue that judges will become accountable to the public, while opponents of the judicial reform state that the country's system of checks and balances will be weakened and that the ruling Morena Party will increase its power.
News Source: İHA
