Mexican Lower House Passes Controversial Judicial Reform

In a marathon session, Mexico's lower house of Congress has passed a controversial judicial reform bill that has drawn criticism from opposition parties and the Supreme Court.

The bill would restructure the nation's judiciary, including the creation of a new Supreme Constitutional Court and the elimination of the Judicial Council, a body that oversees the judiciary's administration and discipline.

Supporters of the reform say it will strengthen the judiciary and make it more independent, while opponents argue that it will weaken the judiciary and give the government more control over it.

The bill was passed by a vote of 269 to 118, with three abstentions. The ruling Morena party and its allies supported the bill, while the opposition National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) and Citizen's Movement voted against it.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where the Morena party and its allies also have a majority.

The reform has been criticized by the Supreme Court, which said in a statement that it "seriously compromises the independence of the judiciary" and "violates the constitutional principles of division of powers and judicial autonomy."

The opposition parties have also criticized the reform, saying that it is a power grab by the government and that it will weaken the judiciary.

The reform is a key part of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's agenda. Lopez Obrador has said that the judiciary is corrupt and needs to be reformed.

The reform is likely to face legal challenges. The Supreme Court has said that it will review the constitutionality of the bill, and the opposition parties have said that they will challenge it in court.