Supreme Court validates constitutional reform

The Mexican Supreme Court validated a constitutional reform approved in July by the state Assembly to eliminate so-called list candidates.

Assemblyman Juan Manuel Molina, of the National Regeneration Movement Party, said justices ruled against the appeal filed by the National Action Party and the Baja California Party.

The parties questioned the constitutionality of the amendment.

“With the reform, we finish with this privilege of the partisan oligarchy,” Molina said. “Now, whoever wants to get elected to the Assembly, either by majority of votes or by proportional representation will have to walk the streets, ask for the vote and make commitments with citizens.”

In Mexico, lawmakers and council members are elected in one of two ways. Most are elected directly by district, while a small number are chosen through proportional representation. The latter method allows minor political parties to have representation.

In Baja California, the law mixes proportional representation between candidates included on a list provided by political party leaders and the top contenders in legislative districts.

According to Molina, the new law ends the privilege enjoyed by party leaders, who could nominate candidates without input from members.