A controversial bill that would change the way judges are selected in Mexico passed the lower house of Congress on Wednesday and will now move to the Senate, where it is also expected to pass.
Supporters of the bill, including President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, say it will help hold judges accountable, but critics say it erodes Mexico’s system of checks and balances.
The judicial reform has sparked strikes by judicial staff and protests in several cities across the country.
Supreme Court justices are the latest to stop working in protest at planned measures that would see judges and magistrates chosen by popular vote.
The House of Representatives passed the reform by 359 votes to 135 after a session that lasted more than 12 hours.
Lawmakers met at a sports arena after protesters blocked the entrance to the legislative building.
Despite the protests, the ruling Morena party quickly pushed the bill through the lower house, where it holds the two-thirds majority needed to make constitutional changes.
The issue will be debated in the Senate, where Morena is just one vote away from a two-thirds majority.
President López Obrador wants judicial reform passed before his term ends on September 30.
During his six years in office, the president has been particularly critical of the Supreme Court after it blocked some of his proposed changes in the energy and security sectors.
His Morena party and presidential candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, won a landslide victory in the general election held in June, and Ms. Sheinbaum supports judicial reform.
Mr López Obrador argues that his party’s electoral success shows that Mexicans support his proposed judicial reform.
He has long campaigned for reform of the justice system, arguing that the current system is corrupt and ineffective.
Current Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and then confirmed by senators.
Under the new system, judges – including those on the Supreme Court – would have to run for office, chosen by popular vote.
Mr López Obrador argues that having to run for office will make them more accountable to Mexican voters, but critics say it could leave them vulnerable to the influence of powerful local figures, including those linked to organised crime.
Opponents of the reform also argue that it fails to address many of the key problems facing Mexico’s justice system, such as high levels of impunity and chronic underfunding.
Among those speaking out against it was the US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, who said that “direct popular election of judges is a major risk to Mexico’s democratic functioning”.
The Canadian ambassador also echoed his sentiments, saying Canadian investors have expressed concerns about the proposed changes.
“Surname [the investors] “We want stability, we want a justice system that works when there are problems,” said Ambassador Graeme Clark.
President López Obrador was angered by these statements and “paused” relations with these countries.
“They have to learn to respect Mexico’s sovereignty,” he said.
