In recent developments from Mexico City, the ruling Morena party is on the verge of securing a majority influence over the nation’s Supreme Court, according to preliminary results from the country’s inaugural judicial elections. This potential shift could lead to Morena controlling all three branches of government.
As vote counting progresses for the 2,600 federal, state, and local judge positions contested in the recent elections, results for the nine Supreme Court seats have nearly reached completion. Most of the newly elected justices appear to have strong connections and ideological similarities with Morena, moving the previously balanced high court under the party’s influence.
Concerns have been raised by experts who suggest that this shift might compromise the checks and balances within Mexico, granting President Claudia Sheinbaum and her party a smoother path to implement their policies.
“We’re watching as power is falling almost entirely into the hands of one party,” stated Georgina De la Fuente from the consulting firm Strategia Electoral. However, officials continue to dismiss concerns about the state of democracy in the country.
A Shift Toward Morena and a Notable Indigenous Justice
With over 98% of votes tallied, many of the prospective justices for Mexico’s top court are either current or former Morena members. Some, who served as Supreme Court justices before the election, were appointed during the tenure of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who spearheaded the judicial reforms.
Among the winners is Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, an Indigenous lawyer from Oaxaca with no apparent party ties. Despite this, President Sheinbaum expressed her satisfaction, having previously voiced a desire for an Indigenous presence in the court.
Controversial Political Implications
The election result has been met with criticism, with fears that Morena’s influence over the judiciary could undermine its independence. This follows a contentious period where judicial reforms were rapidly enacted, transitioning from appointed to elected judges. Critics argue that this move diminishes the Supreme Court’s role as a counterbalance to presidential power.
Opponents, including judges and political figures, view the reforms as a strategy to leverage Morena’s popularity for favorable court outcomes. Despite these claims, Sheinbaum maintains that the electoral process for judges is intended to eradicate corruption in a flawed system.
The election faced challenges, including low voter turnout of about 13% and voter confusion regarding the new system. Critics have pointed to these issues as signs of failure, while De la Fuente anticipates that Morena might leverage its court influence to advance electoral system reforms.
Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, leading Mexico’s electoral authority, has dismissed concerns about a constitutional crisis arising from the elections.
Profiles of Likely Supreme Court Justices
— Hugo Aguilar Ortiz emerged as a prominent figure, garnering significant support. Known for his activism in Indigenous rights, he has openly criticized judicial corruption.
— Lenia Batres, previously a Supreme Court justice appointed by López Obrador, is a Morena member and ally of the president.
— Yasmín Esquivel, another justice appointed by López Obrador, advocates for modernizing the justice system and gender equality. Despite a controversy over her thesis, she is aligned with Morena.
— Loretta Ortiz, also appointed by López Obrador, has demonstrated independence by resigning from Morena. Nevertheless, she remains a party ally.
— María Estela Ríos González, a lawyer with a background in labor law and Indigenous issues, served as a legal adviser to López Obrador during his mayoral and presidential terms.
— Giovanni Figueroa Mejía, an academic with expertise in constitutional law, supports the judicial overhaul, emphasizing its necessity for judicial reform.
— Irving Espinosa Betanzo, a magistrate, has campaigned against nepotism and corruption, supporting human rights as part of his platform.
— Arístides Rodrigo Guerrero García, a law professor, gained attention with a viral social media campaign. Though inexperienced as a judge, he has expertise in constitutional and parliamentary law.
— Sara Irene Herrerías Guerra, a prosecutor specializing in human rights, has addressed various issues including gender equality and human trafficking.
