Mexico’s Senate approves contentious judicial overhaul after protesters storm chamber

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00:00The bill was so controversial that lawmakers were forced to suspend debate after protesters

00:05stormed the Senate. After relocating to a different building, senators voted in favour

00:10of a constitutional reform under which Mexicans would elect judges at all levels of government

00:14by popular vote.

00:16A total of 127 votes were cast, of which 86 were in favour, 41 against and zero abstentions,

00:25thus meeting the qualified majority required for the approval of the bill.

00:31The reform is the first of its kind in the world and means around 7,000 judges will have

00:36to stand for election, whether they be at local level or on the Supreme Court.

00:40Outgoing President López Obrador says it's a necessary step to rid Mexico's judiciary

00:45of corruption, but protesters argue it will deal a severe blow to its independence, citing

00:50the risk of having drug cartels and criminals fuel their own candidates.

00:55We are defending the republic because they are trying to concentrate the three branches

00:58of government in one person. President López Obrador is one person who wants to manipulate

01:03the three powers to have total control.

01:08With absence of dialogue from the ruling party, this is what we're seeing. The citizens, Mexicans,

01:14took over the Senate, entering with force. It's not the best, but we didn't have any

01:19other choice.

01:20The bill has even faced criticism from the US and Canada, and business groups have warned

01:25the reform could undermine the Mexican investment environment.

01:28Obrador wanted the bill approved before he's replaced by close ally Claudia Sheinbaum on

01:32October 1st. The Senate will now move to debating reservations raised by lawmakers before giving

01:38final approval.

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