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00:00The bill was so controversial that lawmakers were forced to suspend debate after protesters
00:05stormed the Senate. After relocating to a different building, senators voted in favour
00:10of a constitutional reform under which Mexicans would elect judges at all levels of government
00:14by popular vote.
00:16A total of 127 votes were cast, of which 86 were in favour, 41 against and zero abstentions,
00:25thus meeting the qualified majority required for the approval of the bill.
00:31The reform is the first of its kind in the world and means around 7,000 judges will have
00:36to stand for election, whether they be at local level or on the Supreme Court.
00:40Outgoing President López Obrador says it's a necessary step to rid Mexico's judiciary
00:45of corruption, but protesters argue it will deal a severe blow to its independence, citing
00:50the risk of having drug cartels and criminals fuel their own candidates.
00:55We are defending the republic because they are trying to concentrate the three branches
00:58of government in one person. President López Obrador is one person who wants to manipulate
01:03the three powers to have total control.
01:08With absence of dialogue from the ruling party, this is what we're seeing. The citizens, Mexicans,
01:14took over the Senate, entering with force. It's not the best, but we didn't have any
01:19other choice.
01:20The bill has even faced criticism from the US and Canada, and business groups have warned
01:25the reform could undermine the Mexican investment environment.
01:28Obrador wanted the bill approved before he's replaced by close ally Claudia Sheinbaum on
01:32October 1st. The Senate will now move to debating reservations raised by lawmakers before giving
01:38final approval.