MEXICO CITY - Mexico's Supreme Court began debating the constitutionality of a controversial judicial overhaul on Tuesday, nearly two months after lawmakers passed the reform that would require the election of all judges over the next few years.

       The debate over the constitutional changes enacted by Congress and approved by a majority of state legislatures in September could trigger an institutional crisis in Mexico, as President Claudia Sheinbaum has argued the court has no authority to review the reform.

       The court, made up of 11 justices, is debating a draft ruling that includes scaling back key points of the judicial reform, which was proposed by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, including some of the elections by popular vote of judges and magistrates.

       It also questions a section of the reform that allows judges to work anonymously on cases involving organized crime.

       Only three justices have publicly expressed their support for judicial reform. The draft ruling debated by the Supreme Court will need the support of at least eight justices to pass.

       Mexico's lower house of Congress in October voted to approve a constitutional change that makes reforms to the constitution "unchallengeable," raising questions about what impact the Supreme Court's decision could have and the principle of separation of powers.

       Supreme Court president Norma Pina said the debate on the draft was of "extreme complexity and extraordinary importance for our nation."

       "It is not an exaggeration to say that whatever decision we reach, it will be taken up by the history books of our country," Pina added.

       Sheinbaum has said the court's review of the judicial reform goes beyond its functions.

       If the reform is enacted as it stands, elections will be held in June 2025 to replace a wide range of judiciary positions across the county, including all Supreme Court justices, which will be reduced to nine members. REUTERS