Among the key environmental issues facing Mexico following the inauguration on Oct. 1 of Claudia Sheinbaum as president is one that revolves around the composition of the courts, not green policy per se. Under Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexican lawmakers in September passed controversial judicial reforms that require the popular election of all of the country’s judges, including members of the Supreme Court. Until now, judgeships have been appointive positions. The reforms, made by constitutional amendment and signed into law by López Obrador on Sept. 15, have spurred concern that elected judges will be more pliant to pressure from government leaders and powerful economic interests. Supporters argue the changes will have the opposite effect by making judges more accountable. After winning June congressional elections in a landslide, López Obrador and Sheinbaum’s ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party pushed the reform law through the lower house of... [Log in to read more]