Sheinbaum urges citizens to decide the future of the Judiciary
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo made a strong call for citizen participation in the electoral process on June 1, where ministers, magistrates and judges will be elected. This event marks a milestone in the democratic history of Mexico, by transferring the power of appointment from the political spheres to direct suffrage. The president stressed that this mechanism seeks to break with traditional selection schemes, frequently associated with opacity and favoritism.
A structural change in Mexican justice
In his speech, Sheinbaum highlighted that this election represents an opportunity to build a transparent judicial system aligned with social demands. “The objective is for citizens, not partisan interests, to define the integration of jurisdictional bodies,” he stated. This model contrasts with previous practices, such as the 1999 reform, where then-president Ernesto Zedillo concentrated the appointment of ministers without popular intervention.
The head of the Executive rejected criticism from opposition sectors that describe the process as manipulated: “Those who defend the status quo of judicial corruption spread disinformation.” He argued that, if he had sought to control the designations, he would have promoted legal modifications similar to those implemented in past decades. Historical data supports his position: between 1995 and 2018, 72% of Supreme Court ministers were appointed through political agreements between elites.
Implications and context of the election
This electoral process introduces three key democratic innovations:
- First popular vote to integrate the country’s highest court
- Citizen oversight mechanisms in real time
- Candidacies subject to public career evaluations
Analysts agree that, if consolidated, this model could influence judicial reforms in Latin America, a region where 89% of judicial systems maintain closed appointment methods.
Sheinbaum emphasized that the June 1 day is part of the Fourth Transformation, a project that seeks to decentralize power structures. According to recent INE surveys, 61% of Mexicans consider it a priority to democratize the Judiciary, although doubts persist about the operational capacity to implement the new system.
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