Mexico's Supreme Court Elects First Female President
The Facts
Mexico's Supreme Court on Monday elected Justice Norma Lucía Piña as its first female chief justice in history, a result welcomed by opposition parties as she is not thought of as an ally of Pres. Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Justice Piña, who was appointed for a 15-year Supreme Court term in 2015, received six votes against five for Justice Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena in the third round of voting to succeed Arturo Zaldívar as the head of Mexico's top court and the Federal Judicial Council until December 2026.
The Spin
Narrative A
A constitutional law specialist, Piña's breaking of the glass ceiling in the legal profession has created an opening of women to positions of power. However, there is more to her extensive experience and exceptional abilities than her gender. The next four years of her presidency could bring a proper balance of powers, an absolute defense of the Constitution, and judicial independence against any attempt at intervention by Obrador's government.
Narrative B
Mexico has serious challenges when it comes to gender equality. Femicide, the crime of killing women, is rampant. Piña's victory may not be enough to win the battle for Mexican women living in fear and fighting for social, political, and economic justice. Only time will tell if her ascent can reform the criminal justice system that all-to-often lets murderers and rapists roam free.
