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Mexico's Senate votes to end presidential immunity

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/afp/11/27/mexican-president-andres-manuel-lopez-obrador.jpg"/><figcaption>Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gestures during a parade commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution at the Monument to the Revolution, in Mexico City, on November 20, 2020. <em>Agence France-Presse</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MEXICO - Mexico&#x27;s Senate on Thursday approved a constitutional reform eliminating presidential immunity from prosecution for crimes including corruption while in office.</p><p>The proposal, which had already been passed by lawmakers in the lower house of Congress, still requires approval by a majority of state legislatures.</p><p>Under Mexico&#x27;s existing constitution, serving presidents can only be tried for treason and certain other serious crimes.</p><p>Members of the Senate, the upper house of Congress, approved the reform by 89 votes to 23.</p><p>The proposal was spearheaded by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a left-wing populist who says presidential immunity has fueled corruption.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/classified-odd/02/07/17/tourist-bus-takes-visitors-to-mexicos-corruption-sites">Tourist bus takes visitors to Mexico&#x27;s corruption sites</a></li></ul><p>The coalition, led by his Morena party, dominates both houses of Congress.</p><p>As an opposition politician, Lopez Obrador accused his predecessors of graft, but they were protected from prosecution by the constitution.</p><p>Last month, lawmakers approved Lopez Obrador&#x27;s request for a referendum next year on whether to prosecute five of his predecessors over allegations including corruption.</p><p>While such a vote is not a legal requirement, Lopez Obrador has said that his government will only take legal action if it has the support of the Mexican people.</p><p>sem-dr/to</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/><strong>FROM OUR ARCHIVES</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E-jSsdqqcmI?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Mexico's Senate on Thursday approved a constitutional reform eliminating presidential immunity from prosecution for crimes including corruption while in office.</p>

Mexico's Senate on Thursday approved a constitutional reform eliminating presidential immunity from prosecution for crimes including corruption while in office.