Mexico City is witnessing a significant development in its political landscape as the ruling Morena party appears set to secure control over the Supreme Court following what has been described as a historic judicial election. As vote counting progresses for around 2,600 judge positions at various levels, near-complete results for the nine Supreme Court spots highlight a trend that aligns with Morena’s aspirations to dominate Mexico’s three government branches.
The newly elected justices largely share strong personal and ideological connections with the Morena party, pointing towards a shift in balance at the nation’s highest court. This shift is indicative of a political realignment, giving the party a firmer grip, potentially diminishing the traditional checks and balances on the executive branch. Experts caution that with President Claudia Sheinbaum at the helm, this could pave the way for seamless passage of the government’s legislative agenda.
Despite these concerns, ruling party officials have disregarded criticisms of democratic processes being compromised. With over 98% of votes counted, many chosen to head Mexico’s Supreme Court have direct links to the Morena party. Some had previously served as justices under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, while others have advised or been associated with Morena.
Among those elected, one standout is Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, an Indigenous lawyer from Oaxaca, who has become notable for his independence from party lines. Sheinbaum has lauded his appointment, reflecting her expressed wish for Indigenous representation within the judiciary.
The election for judicial positions has been shadowed by debates ever since López Obrador pressed for reforms to allow elections for judicial appointments rather than traditional appointments based on capabilities. Such a move has sparked fears that the Supreme Court will lose its role as a counterbalance to the presidential powers.
Critics suggest that this reform exploits Morena’s popularity to ensure the judiciary favors the party in power. Sheinbaum and López Obrador argue that enabling citizens to elect judges directly can uproot corruption from a judiciary widely criticized as ineffective.
Calls for a boycott from opposition parties fell flat, with voter participation reportedly at a low 13%. The low turnout and voter confusion over the newly implemented system have been criticized by detractors who see it as an inadequacy casting the elections in a poor light.
Analyst Georgina De la Fuente suggested that with the high court potentially lacking opposition, Morena might push for broad reforms, impacting electoral systems and sparking political tension. However, Mexico’s electoral authority, led by Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, dismissed any notion of post-election constitutional crisis.
Prospective appointees to the Supreme Court include:
– Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, an activist championing Indigenous rights, led the election results. His reputation for fighting judicial corruption marks him as a prominent figure independent from party ties.
– Lenia Batres, previously appointed by López Obrador, remains a strong ally of Morena and retains her Supreme Court position.
– Yasmín Esquivel, who campaigned on modernizing the justice system, faced accusations of plagiarism in the past and remains aligned with the Morena party.
– Loretta Ortiz, known for her independence, briefly dissociated from Morena in 2018 but is still seen as supportive of the ruling party’s ideals.
– María Estela Ríos González has a long history of association with López Obrador and engagement in labor and Indigenous legal matters.
– Giovanni Figueroa Mejía, an academic with support for judicial reforms, stresses the need for change to rebuild judicial integrity.
– Irving Espinosa Betanzo campaigns on a platform of eradicating nepotism while promoting human rights, previously aiding Morena in Congress.
– Arístides Rodrigo Guerrero García, though lacking judicial experience, has made waves with his unique campaign style, showcasing knowledge in constitutional law.
– Sara Irene Herrerías Guerra brings focus on human rights and gender equality, contributing her prosecutorial expertise to the Supreme Court roles.
As the political scene shifts, the repercussions of such a pivotal judicial change will unfold, potentially redefining the balance of power in Mexico’s governance.