News brief

Mexican Senate passes regulation on popular election of judges. Mexican senators on Oct. 10 passed regulations stipulating how a judicial overhaul that reforms the country’s constitution will be implemented to popularly elect judges. Congress passed a judicial reform in September that calls for the election of judges by popular vote, a move proponents say will ensure the judiciary serves the people and not organized crime but which critics say does not adequately target those they believe to be behind high rates of corruption. The legislation will now go to the lower house for discussion and vote. 

While some see changes in how judges in Mexico are selected as a win for democracy, others, including the United States, fear the loss of a key independent institution.