Mexico is on the verge of amending its constitution this weekend to mandate that all judges be elected, marking a significant legal transformation advocated by the outgoing president. Despite critics’ concerns about potential implications for the country’s rule of law, the amendment successfully passed through Mexico’s Congress, with ratification from the majority of the country’s 32 state legislatures following swiftly by Thursday. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has planned to sign and enact the constitutional modification on Sunday.

This overhaul has sparked apprehension among legal experts and international monitors, who fear that the initiative might jeopardize Mexico’s democracy by potentially installing judges aligned with the ruling Morena party. The party currently wields substantial influence over both Congress and the presidency due to significant electoral victories in June. López Obrador asserts that the reform aims to combat corruption within a system widely perceived as flawed by most Mexicans. Nevertheless, critics argue that the proposal could weaken the system of checks and balances, potentially enabling cartels and criminals to exert influence in the judiciary.

The proposed reform has triggered protests and strikes among judicial personnel, law students, and a vast number of Mexican citizens. Despite significant opposition, the overhaul encountered its most formidable challenge when it passed through Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday. Demonstrators disrupted the Senate’s activities on Tuesday in a final attempt to impede the proposal; however, senators relocated to another venue and eventually passed the measure in the early hours of the morning following extensive debates.

As of Thursday, 18 state legislatures have already ratified the overhaul, with López Obrador scheduling the signing ceremony to coincide with Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations. This event presents an opportunity for the controversial leader to cement the judicial reform as part of his enduring legacy, just weeks before his term concludes on September 30. López Obrador emphasized the significance of the reform during a morning press conference on Thursday, characterizing it as a crucial step in reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to authentic democracy through the direct election of representatives and public officials across all branches of government.