Mexico’s Senate approved a proposed judicial reform early Wednesday, the most important step in a controversial constitutional amendment that would make all judges elected in elections, a change that critics fear could politicize the judiciary and endanger Mexican democracy.
The vote came hours after a riot by protesters forced the chamber to suspend its session when the ruling party, the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), secured the votes needed to approve the measure.
The initiative passed easily last week in the lower house, where Morena and its allies have a large majority. The Senate was the biggest obstacle to the proposal, which required defections by opposition lawmakers to move forward.
One such change of position came on Tuesday from the opposition National Action Party (PAN), when a legislator who had previously positioned himself against the reform asked for a sick leave and his father, a former governor, suggested he would vote in favor.
The Senate voted on the initiative twice with the same result of 86-41, the second vote taking place at around 4 a.m.
The proposal now needs ratification by the legislatures of 17 of Mexico’s 32 states. The ruling party is believed to have the necessary support after its strong showing in recent elections.
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