Behind Mexico’s controversial judicial overhaul | The Take

Mexico is shaking up its judicial system by moving from appointed judges to ones chosen through elections. Supporters say this will clean up corruption and make judges more accountable to the public. But critics worry that electing judges could lead to political influence and weaken their independence. What’s at stake for Mexicans? 

In this episode:

-Julia Galiano, Journalist

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li and Hagir Saleh with Hisham Abu Salah, Duha Mosaad, Shraddha Joshi and our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

[nyaluogowalter]

"This new law is raising concern in Washington" 😂😂😂
I now support this new law

[vanessamaldonado]

Al Jazeera really dissapointed with this shoddy not to say extremely biased interview, nowhere was it talked about how the courts were blocking every single pro-worker law, allowed the rich to evade taxes and had nepotism of the highest order with entire families of the judges working in the judicial branch with no experience whatsoever, only that they had a degree and a judge that is a family member, want to talk about lack of qualifications? Theres the real story, Al Jazeera should get better journalists in Mexico who actually know what they are talking about, not just the voices of the economic interests but the voices of the Mexican working class.

[nietzschespupil]

Essential points here were not mentioned: the excessive and millionaire budget for judges in the Supreme Court, the fact that the judges tend to free criminals on weekends, lawyers may buy and bribe their way into the judicial system, the millionaire pensions for judges of the Supreme Court, luxuries, vehicles, nepotism, slow process, the list is endless, but these truths were suspiciously ignored...

[Popeslash]

Literally nothing controversial about extending democratic representation to lawmaking. Why are you paying lip service to what the right wing of Mexico says? Learn to say 'The right says'.. Or if you think money in elections is a problem, (it is) be objective about that and suggest that the government should fund elections and the number of ads should be controlled. Also if you think drug markets are a problem, advocate for legalization.

[vozdemando]

"Massive Protests" 🤣🤣🤣 no mms Al- jazzera. All judges and ministers were so c0rrupt. Im disappointed big time in this story. Just like people are saying below, you need better journalists in mexico, the ones who understand the law system.👎

[ericktellez]

Example of a government that actually gives the people what they demanded, this reform has an overwhelming support by the majority of Mexicans and it took more than 3 years in the making and now it’s a reality. When the party has political will and works for the people, things can get done.

[willsantiago]

Mexicans are not concerned about the judicial overhaul, they support it, in fact, they voted overwhelmingly for it.

[lupitadominguez]

I support this overhaul. This report does not show the really of this overhaul.

[Lululululee]

lol Those were not “massive” protests. Barely noticed in Mexico. What is this type of journalism?

[Carl]

The journalist is biased, and only informing one side of the history, not what the majority's of the people wants.

[cesargonzalezbuenrostro]

1. We Mexicans voted for this to happen. 2. No "massive" protest are happening. 3. USA is only worried for thei own beneffit (not the peopel's, as you can see in their own country). 4.The Mexican peso is stonger than how it was "recieved" almost 6 years ago, you seam to forget this (this had not happen in in over 40 years). Viva Mexico!

[vivalaleta]

Wonderful. That's what I want for the US .

[bevbass]

Many judges are elected in the US; varies from state to state.

[emptycicada]

AJ, why are you trying to appeal to Washington?
Since when is Democracy dangerous 🤡🤡🤡

[willsantiago]

Currently, the judges must pass a litmus test as to how loyal to the real powers that govern méxico, are, before they are permitted to become judges. They don't serve the Mexican people, quite the opposite, their main job is to keep the status quo.

[FernandoSanchez-zyhh]

“If the judges have to raise funds to run a campaign, won’t they be compromised?” Fun little fact is that judges will have public funding and private funding for campaigns is illegal under this law. I would think the analyst would have done their research on this little fun fact.

[AbdulK-krjv]

These "journalists" talking about AMLO deciding last minute on the Judicial Reform when it was lilterally part of the policy Sheinbaum ran the election for. The mexican people loterally voted for this reform and these sternographers wondering HOW this was possible last minute?
AJ sometimes is horrible on reporting.

[ColdGoldk]

If they say its the end its proably the begining of freedom.

[ColdGoldk]

The only reason people would be concerned is because you told them to be. Propagandized.

[AaronKaewprapai-qvbc]

Dictators will definitely hate this. The people will now decide their appointment.