MEXICO CITY — In a significant development, eight justices from Mexico’s Supreme Court have announced their intention to resign rather than participate in an election process mandated by a contentious judicial reform enacted last month. Supreme Court President Norma Piña, along with seven other justices, submitted their resignation letters on Tuesday and Wednesday, clearly stating they would not seek reelection in the judicial elections set to take place next June. In contrast, the remaining three justices have expressed their willingness to enter the electoral race.

The controversial judicial reform, championed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was recently passed by Mexico’s Congress and subsequently ratified by a majority of the states. This initiative aims to transform the selection process for judges, placing them under electoral competition instead of the previous procedure where the Senate appointed them.

Proponents of this reform, including López Obrador and his successor Claudia Sheinbaum, argue that this sweeping change will be instrumental in eliminating corruption within the judiciary. However, critics raise concerns over the potential erosion of judicial independence, suggesting that the courts could become increasingly influenced by political currents.

Amidst these resignations, the lower chamber of Congress approved an additional constitutional amendment designed to shield judicial reforms, including the controversial overhaul, from legal scrutiny. This amendment was endorsed by a vote tally of 343 in favor to 129 against, following its earlier passage in the Senate.

Businesses have expressed apprehension regarding the implications of this judicial transformation, particularly the threat it poses to the integrity of the rule of law. The Mexican Employers’ Association, known as Coparmex, released a statement that highlighted concerns regarding the protection of fundamental guarantees that have historically safeguarded citizens.

Throughout his presidency, López Obrador often found himself in conflict with the judiciary, facing setbacks as the courts invalidated several of his proposals. His daily briefings often included criticisms directed at judges, and Sheinbaum, who has taken up his mantle, continues this line of critique.

In a light-hearted yet pointed comment, Sheinbaum warned that Supreme Court justices who do not resign before the registration period for judicial candidates ends in November could risk losing their pensions, noting, “It’s a lot of money.” This remark underscores the prevailing tensions surrounding the newly altered judicial landscape in Mexico.