Mexico's lower house of Congress has passed a controversial judicial reform bill by a vote of 359 to 135, which aims to shift the judicial selection process to popular elections for over 7,000 judges and magistrates, including the Supreme Court. This reform, championed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and supported by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, seeks to enhance accountability and reduce corruption within the judiciary. However, the proposal has sparked significant opposition, leading to strikes by judicial workers and concerns from international observers regarding the potential erosion of judicial independence. Critics argue that the reforms may introduce politically biased judges and fail to address the underlying issues of corruption. The bill is expected to find support in the Senate, where Morena holds a strong majority. Relations with the United States have also been strained due to concerns over the reform's implications for democracy in Mexico.