• Morena party candidates expected to dominate the new Mexican Supreme Court after recent elections.
• Only 13% of eligible voters participated in the controversial judicial elections.
• New Chief Justice Hugo Aguilar set to become the first Indigenous head of the court in over 150 years.
• Critics warn this shift could weaken checks and balances on the executive branch.
• Sheinbaum defends the overhaul as a triumph over corruption and nepotism.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's political party, Morena, is poised to dominate the newly restructured Supreme Court following the country's first-ever elections for judicial positions, a process marked by controversy and low participation rates. As the votes were counted, it became apparent that all nine anticipated justices have close ties to the Morena party, signaling a significant transformation in Mexico's balance of power. According to early reports, the newly elected judges include Hugo Aguilar, likely to become the first Indigenous chief justice in over a century, after securing 6 million votes, more than any other candidate, according to NY Times, Reuters, and LA Times.

Despite the relatively low voter turnout of only 13%, Sheinbaum praised the elections as “marvelous” and a democratic victory over corruption. Critics, however, have raised alarms that this transformation undermines democracy and may reinforce theocratic powers, hampering checks and balances traditionally upheld by the judiciary. Experts express concern that the concentration of power across the executive branch and the Supreme Court may pose risks to democratic integrity in Mexico, with analysts emphasizing that the changes create a judicial branch susceptible to Morena's influence, according to NY Times, Reuters, and LA Times.

Electoral authorities are expected to confirm the results as a formality, and the new justices, including several from the outgoing court, are set to take office on September 1. This judicial review followed a significant administrative overhaul introduced by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, designed to combat corruption. The election and subsequent appointments may significantly alter how judicial oversight functions, as Sheinbaum prepares to push an agenda with reduced resistance from a reformed judiciary. Opposition critics warn that this arrangement could embolden criminal organizations and diminish judicial independence in favor of executive priorities, according to Reuters and LA Times.

Among the notable changes is the possibility of leading a more inclusive court, especially with Hugo Aguilar's election. His background as one of Mexico's long-marginalized Indigenous communities could positively influence judicial approaches towards Indigenous rights and issues. However, it remains uncertain how much his leadership can genuinely reshape the judicial landscape amidst growing concerns about political influence. Some observers have pointed out that Aguilar's past support for government projects raises questions about his independence and judicial integrity, according to NY Times, Reuters, and LA Times.