Mexico's sweeping judicial overhaul formally takes effect

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's judicial reform overhauling the country's courts, which will allow voters to elect judges, officially took effect on Sunday after the text of the constitutional changes was published in the government gazette.

The reforms mark a major legislative victory in President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's final weeks in office.

Lopez Obrador, who often clashed with judges he derided as corrupt, argued the overhaul was needed to better serve the interests of ordinary citizens. Critics countered that electing judges rather appointing them, will end the judiciary's political independence while undermining investor confidence.

The reform was championed by Lopez Obrador, and approved by his allies in Congress and a majority of state legislatures earlier this month.

Lopez Obrador signed a decree for the reform's publication while sitting next to his successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, in a video posted on social media.

The constitutional reform's publication in the government's gazette kicks off the process to prepare for the first judicial elections for federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, set for next June.

(Reporting by David Alire Garcia and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Tom Hogue)