Lenia Batres urges ministers to obey the will of the people

Ivan Evair Saldana

The newspaper La Jornada
Friday, August 2, 2024, p. 4

In an unprecedented move, Minister Lenia Batres Guadarrama yesterday changed the solemnity of the opening ceremony of the second session of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) to defend the current proposal for reform of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (PJF), and call on her 10 fellow ministers to submit to the obligation to redirect our actions, respect the division of powers, and subject ourselves to constitutional supremacy and the will of the people.

This is the first time that the presidential initiative has been addressed in a public session of the Court’s plenary session, since it was presented by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on February 5 of this year. Justice Lenia Batres took the opportunity to speak about the issue when presenting the report of the recess commission, after Justice President Norma Piña opened the solemn session.

As heads of this Judicial Branch, we have the obligation to redirect our actions, respect the division of powers and adhere to constitutional supremacy. Let us emulate the jurists of the 19th century who helped build the Mexican State, assuming social demands and submitting to the popular will, since it is the people who have at all times the inalienable right to modify the Judicial Branch.he declared.

The Court’s vacation period was declared on July 11 and ended yesterday. During that time, Batres mentioned that “several of us also had the opportunity to participate in forums, conferences and even assemblies organized to debate the scope of judicial reform.

Mexico is experiencing transcendental moments in its democratic life. There is consensus on the need to carry out a reform. We now have a historic opportunity to approach society, listen to and feel its demand for justice.he added.

From the report on the work of the recess commission, it was reported that the Court received 1,386 documents of new files and promotions. The text was approved by economic vote of the eight ministers present, in the absence of Loretta Ortiz, Margarita Ríos Farjat and Javier Laynez Potisek.

Minister Luis María Aguilar asked that the report be separated from Lenia Batres’ opinion on the reform.

Madam Minister (Piña), only with regard to the work report, of course, the concepts that the Minister expresses are more personal issues for her, right?Aguilar said.

That’s how it isthe president replied. She was seconded by Minister Lenia Batres, who said of course.