Mexico’s ruling party Morena will gain control of the Supreme Court following the country’s first-ever judicial elections, which were marred by low voter turnout and allegations of a power grab. Preliminary results from Sunday’s race showed candidates linked with Morena winning most seats on the judiciary. With the victory, the party will now have a firm grip over every branch of government, a change that democracy advocates say weakens the country’s checks and balances. Critics have also warned that the election itself poses a risk to democracy, arguing that by having judges elected through popular vote, the independent authority of the courts could be compromised, and with it, their ability to uphold the law and keep other powers in check at a time of rampant crime and corruption. Around 100 million citizens were eligible to participate in Sunday’s event, but only about 13% showed up to vote. Experts say the figures reflected confusion among voters who were overwhelmed by the large number of positions and candidates to choose from. Víctor Manuel Alarcón Olguín, a research professor at the university UAM-Iztapalapa who focuses on political parties and elections, also faulted the way the process was designed. He said legislators “did not provide the electoral authority with a sufficiently well-defined method, and the electoral authority had to resolve many of these technical problems on the fly in order, at least, to try to make this system work.” Among the nine projected winners in the Supreme Court race are three sitting justices who had been nominated by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the founder of Morena. Others include a former legal adviser to López Obrador, the current human rights prosecutor of the Attorney General’s Office, and an indigenous lawyer who is expected to become the court’s next president. “Many of these people, at best, do not show an affiliation or such an obvious participation with the ruling party, but they do have very diverse interests or connections, or at least ideological or manifest affinities, let’s say, in terms of their profiles and professional activities that place them in a circle very close to the government,” said Alarcón Olguín. All nine candidates appeared in pamphlets that Morena members were accused of handing out to voters to suggest which candidates they should vote for. Election rules prohibit political parties from promoting or supporting judicial candidates. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the leader of Morena, has tried to distance herself from the pamphlets, condemning their use and calling for an investigation into the matter. Sunday’s race marked the first time any country has held elections at every level of the judiciary. Almost 900 federal posts were in play, including all nine seats on the Supreme Court, as well as some 1,800 local positions in 19 states. Votes are still being counted across the country, with results expected to be announced gradually over the next week. A second vote for hundreds of other judicial positions will be held in 2027. Sheinbaum labeled Sunday’s election a success. “In Mexico, voting is voluntary. It is not mandatory. There are countries where it is mandatory, but not here — here it is free, direct, universal, and secret. So, 13 million people decided to vote in an exercise for the judiciary. That is very good,” she said. Lopez Obrador and his party approved the judicial election in September, arguing that a popular vote would help stem corruption and impunity within the courts. But critics say Morena was seizing on its popularity to get like-minded justices elected, with the goal of passing through reforms that the previous, more-balanced courts had blocked. They also fear that the vote could be influenced by political actors and criminal groups. Eight justices on the then-11-seat Supreme Court announced their resignations in October, declining to participate in Sunday’s election. Most resignations are effective August 31, 2025, a day before the new court is set to begin.
Mexico’s ruling party expands power in Supreme Court after elections marred by low turnout
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Morena Gains Control of Mexico's Supreme Court Amid Controversial Judicial Elections"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a significant shift in Mexico's judiciary landscape, the ruling party Morena has secured control of the Supreme Court following the country's inaugural judicial elections, which faced criticism due to notably low voter turnout and accusations of a power grab. Preliminary results indicate that candidates associated with Morena have won a majority of the seats, raising concerns among democracy advocates about the implications for checks and balances within the government. Critics argue that the introduction of popular votes for judicial positions could undermine the independence of the courts, particularly in a nation grappling with escalating crime and corruption. With approximately 100 million eligible voters, only about 13% participated in the elections, a turnout attributed to voter confusion stemming from the complexity of the electoral process. Experts have pointed out that the electoral authority was ill-equipped to manage the intricacies of the voting system, which led to numerous technical difficulties during the election.
Among the nine candidates projected to win seats on the Supreme Court are three sitting justices who were nominated by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, alongside a former legal adviser and the current human rights prosecutor. These individuals, while not overtly affiliated with Morena, are thought to have connections that align them closely with the government. There were allegations of Morena distributing pamphlets to influence voter decisions, which contradicts election rules prohibiting political endorsements for judicial candidates. Despite the controversies, President Claudia Sheinbaum has labeled the election a success, emphasizing the voluntary nature of voting in Mexico. However, critics maintain that the election was a strategic maneuver by Morena to install justices who would support the party's reform agenda, potentially leading to a judiciary that is less independent and more susceptible to political influence and corruption. As the vote counting continues, results will be announced gradually, with a follow-up election for additional judicial roles scheduled for 2027.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent news regarding Mexico's ruling party, Morena, gaining control of the Supreme Court following elections has raised significant concerns about the state of democracy in the country. The low voter turnout and accusations of a power grab suggest deeper issues within the electoral process and political landscape.
Implications of Control Over the Supreme Court
By securing a majority in the Supreme Court, Morena consolidates its power across all branches of government. This shift is alarming to democracy advocates who fear it undermines the system of checks and balances essential for a functioning democracy. Critics argue that the election of judges through popular vote may compromise judicial independence, leading to potential biases favoring the ruling party.
Voter Apathy and Electoral Confusion
The reported 13% voter turnout highlights significant public disinterest or confusion regarding the election process. Political analysts attribute this low engagement to the overwhelming number of candidates and positions, suggesting that the electoral framework was poorly designed. Such low participation raises questions about the legitimacy of the newly elected judges and the overall electoral integrity.
Potential Risks to Democracy
The election's design and the resulting composition of the Supreme Court could threaten the judiciary's ability to act as an independent arbiter of the law. As violence and corruption escalate in Mexico, the need for a robust and impartial judicial system becomes increasingly critical. The new court's alignment with Morena could jeopardize the enforcement of laws intended to combat these issues.
Public Perception and Reactions
The article aims to inform the public about the potential dangers of this political shift, calling attention to the implications for civil liberties, legal accountability, and governance. It seems to resonate particularly with those who prioritize democratic norms and are concerned about authoritarian tendencies.
Market and Global Impact
While the immediate effects on stock markets may not be significant, the perception of political stability and legal integrity in Mexico can influence investor confidence. Sectors that rely heavily on legal certainty, such as real estate and foreign investment, may be particularly sensitive to these developments.
International Relations and Power Dynamics
This news piece may also reflect broader concerns regarding Mexico's role in international politics. As power consolidates within a single party, it could alter Mexico's engagement with global partners, especially those advocating for democratic governance and human rights.
Use of AI in News Creation
There is a possibility that AI tools were employed in drafting this article, especially given the structured presentation of facts and data. AI models could assist in summarizing complex electoral processes or analyzing voter behavior trends, shaping the narrative to emphasize particular concerns about democracy.
In summary, the reliability of this news can be considered moderate. While it presents factual information about the elections and their implications, the framing may evoke alarm regarding the erosion of democratic norms. The language used highlights risks and potential consequences, which can influence public sentiment. Overall, the article serves to raise awareness of significant political developments in Mexico while advocating for the preservation of democratic values.