Mexican leftists go to court to stop PEMEX reforms

Guadalajara -
With a final Senate vote on energy reforms just hours away, the leaders of Mexico's far left Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) have filed an emergency appeal with the nation's Supreme Judicial Court (SCJN) in an effort to shut down the ongoing debate. PEMEX constitutional amendments are on the legislative "fast track".

Deputies and party bosses of Mexico's "Aztec Sun" contend that any modifications to the internal structure of the nation's state owned oil monopoly, Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), must be put to a national citizens' referendum. The administration of president Enrique Peña Nieto says otherwise and has declined to do so.

PRD filed an emergency amparo proceeding with the Court earlier today, seeking a judicial opinion on the issues. It is not clear when or if SCJN ministers will rule on the extraordinary application, which is the rough equivalent of a petition for declaratory judgment in the U.S. legal system.

Pending before Mexico's Senate is a package of proposed amendments to the federal constitution, most notably article 27, which would open PEMEX to private capital investment and foreign technical participation. Passage is expected before day's end in the upper house. The measure then moves to the lower chamber, the Cámara de Diputados, where approval also seems likely. The final step in the constitutional amendment process requires the proposed reforms to be submitted to Mexico's 32 state legislatures, 17 of which must accept them. Only then may the president of the Republic sign them into law.

PRD's legal filing today seeks to derail the entire legislative process, which would put energy reform on indefinite hold. Opinion: Mexico's Left determined to shackle the nation to the past.

Dec. 16 - San Luis Potosí puts PEMEX reforms over the top
Dec. 15 - Jalisco and all of Yucatán peninsula approve PEMEX reforms
Dec. 13 - Mexican states rush to endorse PEMEX reforms
Dec. 12 - PRD: "The Pact for Mexico is dead"
Dec. 11 - Mexico's Chamber of Deputies wastes no time, approves PEMEX reforms
Dec. 11 - Mexico's PEMEX: senators open the door to foreign expertise and private capital
Dec. 10 - Foreign Policy names Peña Nieto a top Global Thinker
Dec. 5 - U.N. selects Mexico's Supreme Judicial Court for Defense of Human Rights Award
Nov. 30 - As energy reform vote approaches, PRD exits Pact for Mexico
Oct. 7 - López Obrador calls for campaign of protest and civil disobedience over PEMEX reforms

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