Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador delivered his sixth and final government report on September 1, 2024, in the Zócalo of Mexico City, highlighting his administration’s achievements and promoting his controversial judicial reform proposal. López Obrador emphasized the reduction in poverty, claiming that 9.5 million people have escaped poverty in the past five years. He also touted economic improvements, including a significant increase in the minimum wage.A key focus of López Obrador’s report was his proposed judicial reform, which aims to allow the popular election of judges, magistrates, and ministers. To demonstrate public support for this initiative, the president conducted an informal vote among the attendees in the Zócalo, asking, ‘Do you prefer that the president and senators choose the ministers, or that the people choose them?’. The crowd overwhelmingly supported the popular election option.López Obrador justified the reform by stating it would prevent the Judicial Power from serving the interests of organized crime and white-collar crime, instead serving the people. He also criticized the United States’ opposition to the reform, reminding them that ‘democracy in America, in the United States, began by electing judges’.However, the proposed reform has sparked significant controversy and opposition. Simultaneously with López Obrador’s report, a protest march against the judicial reform took place, organized by law students and supported by various public figures. Critics argue that the reform threatens judicial independence and is an ‘attack on democracy’.As López Obrador prepares to hand over power to President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, he expressed confidence in her ability to continue his administration’s work. The confrontation over the judicial reform highlights the deep divisions in Mexican politics as the country transitions to a new administration.
Key points
- López Obrador delivered his final government report, highlighting poverty reduction and economic improvements.
- The president promoted his controversial judicial reform proposal, conducting an informal vote among supporters.
- The judicial reform proposal has sparked both support and criticism, with protests occurring simultaneously with the report.
Contradictions👾López Obrador claims significant improvements in healthcare and poverty reduction, but critics argue these claims are not supported by data.
👾The president asserts that his judicial reform will benefit the people, while opponents argue it threatens judicial independence.
