MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday authorized a reform of the nation’s electoral institute, a transfer that opponents say will undercut democracy however which the president contends will get monetary savings and scale back political privileges.

Lawmakers voted 72-50 in favor of the controversial overhaul of the physique overseeing Mexico’s elections. Opponents instantly mentioned they may problem the modifications within the supreme courtroom. Protests are deliberate in a number of cities.

The reform nonetheless must be enacted by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, however that’s seen as a formality since he backs the initiative, which would cut back the scale of the institute and restrict its supervisory and sanctioning powers.

Some opposition lawmakers held up posters studying: “Morena desires to steal the elections,” referring to López Obrador’s ruling Morena get together. Mexico has presidential elections scheduled for subsequent yr.

The legislative initiative, often called “Plan B”, was proposed by the president in December after he didn’t get hold of sufficient votes in Congress for a constitutional reform that carried deeper electoral modifications.

The president has repeatedly denied that the reform bundle may put the elections in Mexico in danger, saying the initiative seeks to chop the Nationwide Electoral Institute’s massive price range and finish its privileges.