The future president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, affirmed that the constitutional reform of the judiciary, one of the most controversial presented by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, will be one of the first to be processed in September – when the new Congress is installed and a month before she takes power— but first a process of dialogue and public consultation will be opened.
Sheinbaum made these statements in his first press conference after his overwhelming June 2 election victory and after having lunch with the outgoing president to talk about the period of transition of power that will culminate on October 1, when his six-year term will begin.
It was the first intervention from the National Palace of who will be the first female president of Mexico and, as she has done since her victory, she took care of her words to maintain a conciliatory message but without distancing herself from her mentor.
The constitutional reform of the judiciary, which includes electing judges by popular vote, is one of the most criticized by the opposition and generated unrest in the markets because, according to its detractors, it could put the separation of powers at risk.
Sheinbaum assured that, before debating it in Congress, he wants the initiative to be known. There will be “a very broad discussion” not only in parliament but in universities, among lawyers’ unions, the judges themselves and the workers of the Judiciary, he said. “We both agreed that it should be that way,” he said, referring to López Obrador.
When asked if she would accept changes to the current president’s project, she said that would be decided after opening the debate but stated that she would like it to be one of the first to see the light of day and that she was confident that it would be approved in September or “at least.” in the first months” of his government.
He also indicated that he will present his cabinet next week. He did not give clues as to who will make it up but he did assure that “at least he has to be equal.”
López Obrador had previously said that it was important to talk with his successor to “plan how we are going to work, what we are going to do, how many resources we have, what the priorities are going to be because there are many demands.”
One of the thorniest points that generates the greatest rejection among those who voted against him is the battery of constitutional reforms that López Obrador sent to Congress in February. In addition to that of the judiciary, he is concerned about the proposal to eliminate regulatory bodies, such as antitrust or transparency.
But before the latter, Sheinbaum said that she wants to enshrine new social rights in the Magna Carta, such as support for women between 60 and 64 years old prior to the universal pension.
Although the Electoral Court still needs to analyze the challenges and decree the final official results of the votes for Congress and the Senate, Morena—the party of López Obrador and Sheinbaum—and its partners would have a qualified majority in the Chamber of Deputies and would be two seats to also obtain it in the Senate, so it is most likely that the changes in the Magna Carta can be approved.
Since her victory, Sheinbaum has been cautious and open to dialogue because one of her main challenges is to establish her own style of government marked by her career as a scientist and academic.
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