Mexico’s Senate has approved a controversial judicial reform under which judges will be elected by popular vote.

Its supporters say the changes will make judges more accountable to the Mexican people but critics argue it undermines the country’s system of checks and balances and will strengthen the power of the governing Morena party.

The bill has triggered strikes and protests, with demonstrators earlier breaking into the building where the vote was due to take place.

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Among those who have criticised the changes is Supreme Court Chief Justice Norma Piña.

She warned the proposed model would “generate tension between judges’ duty to be independent and impartial and their need to make rulings which are popular in order to attract votes”.