Alonso Urrutia and Emir Olivares
The newspaper La Jornada
Friday, August 23, 2024, p. 4
Even though he confirmed that the workers of the Federal Judicial Branch (PJF) are free to protest against the proposed reform, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that “they know that they cannot stop the functioning of that institution.
Who is responsible for dealing with this matter? The Federal Judicial Council (CJF). And I understand that they met and did not reach any agreement, because their president is Ms. Norma Piña (also the head of the Court).
During his morning press conference, the president was questioned about the positions of the American rating agencies, which warn of risks for the country if the judicial reform goes ahead: It’s politicking; don’t believe that, they’ve already deceived a lot
He pointed out that this is similar to the myths that were woven in the past, such as that if minimum wages were increased, inflation would skyrocket or that the State had to be diluted and everything would have to be managed by the market.
–Do you not think that it will affect the investment grade?
–No. It is a complete lie. Look for the strengthening of the dollar in relation to the peso; look for the causes and you will not find anything internal, it is a global adjustment that has to do with Japan and with external factors, fundamentally the economy and finances of the United States.
He recalled that in Mexico things are no longer like before, when the recommendations of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were followed, When they imposed their agenda on us and accepted their recipes
.
Regarding the strike at the PJF, he confirmed that the Treasury Department sent a letter to the CJF, in which it warns about the illegality of the strike and suggests a discount for those who participate, although he immediately stated that he is in favor of workers expressing themselves freely. Therefore, he commented that, if necessary, this proposed sanction will be corrected.
My opinion is that they should not be prevented or limited in their freedom to demonstrate, because if not, they will cry out and accuse us of being repressors. No, no. Right now our people are very aware and all public actors must learn to limit themselves. When there is this type of thing, people do not see it well.
he stressed.
However, despite speaking out against promoting sanctions, the president called on those who are demonstrating to be reasonable and avoid being manipulated, because the reform will not affect their rights. He referred to the position of the CJF, pointing out its ineffectiveness because it is headed by the person who presides over the Court.
If the body in charge of supervising the good behavior of judges, magistrates and ministers is dominated by the person presiding over the Court, then it is not an independent body. For this reason, he said, the reform proposes that when they are elected, the magistrates who will be in charge of the court that will regulate the conduct of the Judicial Branch should also be included.
On the other hand, he said that he will seek to incorporate some protection mechanism for judges who have cases related to organized crime.
