Thousands protest Mexican judicial reform

MEXICO CITY: Thousands of Mexicans, mainly court employees and law students, protested in the capital on Sunday against a controversial judicial reform that would see judges elected by popular vote.

They gathered in Mexico City as the Senate prepared to debate the initiative pushed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and approved by the lower house, called the Chamber of Deputies, in which the ruling party holds sway.

The proposed reform, which would see the election of judges of the Supreme Court and other tribunals as well as magistrates, has sparked diplomatic tensions with the United States, prompted protests by opponents, and upset financial markets.