Mexico supreme court judges resign over reforms to allow voters to elect judiciary
GuardianOct 31
Mexico: Majority of Supreme Court Justices Resign Over Judicial Reforms
Above: Judicial workers protest outside the International Business Center in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon State, Mexico, on Oct. 4, 2024. Image copyright: Julio Cesar Aguilar/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Eight out of Mexico's 11 Supreme Court justices, including court President Norma Piña, have announced their intent to resign in protest of recent judicial reform laws, including a provision that judges of all levels be elected rather than appointed.
Piña, who was slated to serve until 2030, wrote in her letter that her decision "does not imply [her] agreement with the separation from the position for which I was originally appointed" but rather is "an act of congruence and respect for the" current constitutional text.
The Spin
Narrative A
This group of justices has shown contempt for the Constitution they're obligated to uphold. Not only did they seek to illegally amend a constitutionally protected law, but now they want to neglect their duties and still receive a full pension. Just as they failed to block the judicial reform laws, they will fail again in this attempt to circumvent their job requirements.
Narrative B
Despite accusations from politicians like Obrador and Sheinbaum, these judges are not neglecting their duties nor violating the law. What they are doing is sticking up for the Mexican people who see this reform bill as an anti-democratic power grab. Judges are supposed to be free from public and governmental influence, which is what the court's majority is trying to prevent.