Mexico’s lower house restricts judiciary’s power to challenge constitutional changes

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s lower house of Congress approved a measure on Wednesday that makes changes to the constitution “unchallengeable” as ruling party Morena and allies push through a swath of constitutional reforms, including a controversial judicial overhaul.

The measure, which the Senate passed last week, received 340 votes in favor, 133 against and 1 abstention. The government’s coalition enjoys large majorities in both chambers.

Opposition lawmakers have described the measure as authoritarian, arguing it makes constitutional reforms passed by Congress immune to checks and oversight by the judiciary.

“The aim is to end the rights of citizens by mutilating the Constitution. It is a historical regression that will take years to reverse and marks a before and after in the real balance of powers,” lawmaker Annia Gomez, of the opposition National Action Party (PAN), said during Wednesday’s heated debate.

The ban allows for its retroactive application, which will prevent the judiciary from reviewing a judicial reform passed last month, just as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on its constitutionality.

Juan Luis Carrillo, a lawmaker from the ruling coalition’s Green Party, said the ban on challenges was needed because it prevents “particular interests from using judicial avenues to hinder or reverse democratically approved reforms.”

The judicial reform currently under review by the Supreme Court has stoked concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the division of powers.

Ruling lawmakers have argued it will stamp out corruption in the judiciary, but the uncertainty has frightened investors and caused the local peso currency to slump.