Mexico became the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at all levels on Wednesday, after protesters invaded the upper house and suspended debate on the matter.

Outgoing President ANDRÉS MANUEL LÓPEZ OBRADOR had strongly advocated for the reform, criticizing the current judicial system for serving the interests of the political and economic elite.

The reform was approved with 86 votes in favour and 41 against, securing the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, in an upper chamber dominated by the ruling Morena party and its allies.

Human Rights Watch had called on lawmakers to reject what it described as the “dangerous proposals,” stating that they would “seriously undermine judicial independence and contravene international human rights standards.”