By Edith Loyola 
In the early hours of September 11, amidst inconsistencies, discontent, and controversies, the new reform to Mexico’s judiciary was approved both in general and in detail.
After having to pause the discussion due to protests and in an alternate venue, the coalition formed by Morena, PVEM, and PT secured the support of PAN senator Miguel Ángel Yunes Márquez, son of the former governor of Veracruz, Miguel Ángel Yunes Linares. Thus, the ruling party achieved 86 votes, the minimum required to approve the constitutional reform. In contrast, 41 senators from PAN, PRI, and MC voted against the initiative.
The next step in the process is for the reform to be ratified by the legislatures of at least 17 states in the country, as established by the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States. According to the Constitution, for a constitutional reform to be valid, it must be supported by two-thirds of the Union Congress. This could be seen as a given, since Morena governs two-thirds of the country.
State Legislatures that have approved the Judicial Reform
Oaxaca became the first state to approve the Judicial Reform. In a six-minute session during the early hours of Wednesday, the local Congress backed the reform with 41 votes in favor and no opposition.
Similarly, the Congress of Tabasco called an extraordinary session on Wednesday, during which the proposal was debated and approved.
In Veracruz, the Congress also held an extraordinary session to address the reform. The proposal was supported with 32 votes in favor and 11 against, with no abstentions.
Meanwhile, the XVIII Legislature of Quintana Roo ratified the reform to the Federal Judiciary with a vote of 21 in favor and 4 against.
On the other hand, the Congress of Mexico City (CDMX) announced that the session to debate what could be AMLO’s final major project will take place on Thursday, September 12.