Mexico's ruling bloc appears to secure Senate votes for judicial reform

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Mexico's Senate on the day of a debate about a highly contested proposal on a judicial reform, after it was approved by the Chamber of Deputies and senators have backed it at the commission stage, in Mexico City, Mexico September 10, 2024 REUTERS/Luis Cortes/File Photo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's ruling bloc appeared to secure the necessary votes to pass a judicial reform bill on Tuesday evening after an opposition senator dramatically broke party ranks to say he would favor the overhaul, which critics fear threatens the rule of law.

The ruling Morena party and its allies had been one seat short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the constitutional reform that would transform Mexico's judicial system by having judges elected by popular vote.