Background on María Valdés Leal and the Telecom Judge Position
María Valdés Leal, a candidate for one of the first telecom judges to be elected by Mexican voters, is defending her eligibility through a legal challenge after the National Electoral Institute (INE) declared her ineligible, along with 40 other candidates for judicial positions.
Valdés Leal’s Qualifications and Academic Background
María Valdés Leal holds a law degree from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CIDE) and has pursued further studies at the Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Universitat de Barcelona. She aims to become Mexico’s first popularly elected telecom, radiodiffusion, and economic competition judge.
INE’s Ineligibility Decision and Valdés Leal’s Response
On June 30, the INE announced that Valdés Leal was no longer eligible for the telecom and radiodiffusion judge position due to insufficient grades in certain professional studies, which the INE deemed relevant to economic competence and telecommunications.
Valdés Leal contests the INE’s decision, asserting that her professional formation is adequate for the role. She highlights that her grades in law, economics, public policies, and knowledge of the amparo figure average 9 and 10, demonstrating her competence in areas related to economic competence and telecommunications.
Valdés Leal argues that the INE altered eligibility criteria, including those related to grades in other areas of study. She claims that the INE overstepped its authority, especially in a technical area outside its scope.
The Legal Challenge and Future Prospects
Valdés Leal filed a complaint (juicio de inconformidad) arguing that the INE lacks the authority to revisit eligibility decisions. She plans to present an equality argument, questioning why other candidates’ qualifications in amparo and legal theory were considered while hers were not.
“The INE’s legal direction lacks the technical capacity to make this assessment, considering the complexity of the judicial system and its diverse, intricate matters,” Valdés Leal stated. “With over 2,500 law schools in the country offering varied programs, it’s not straightforward to determine which and what subjects should be considered for eligibility.”
Valdés Leal remains hopeful that the Federal Judicial Council’s Electoral Tribunal (TEPJF) will overturn the INE’s decision, granting her the telecom judge position she was elected to by popular vote.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is María Valdés Leal? María Valdés Leal is a lawyer with a degree from CIDE and additional studies from the Tecnológico de Monterrey and Universitat de Barcelona. She aims to be Mexico’s first popularly elected telecom, radiodiffusion, and economic competition judge.
- Why was Valdés Leal declared ineligible? The INE deemed Valdés Leal ineligible due to insufficient grades in certain professional studies, which they considered relevant to economic competence and telecommunications.
- What is Valdés Leal’s response? Valdés Leal contests the INE’s decision, asserting her competence and arguing that the INE overstepped its authority in altering eligibility criteria.
- What is the next step for Valdés Leal? Valdés Leal filed a complaint with the TEPJF, hoping they will overturn the INE’s decision and grant her the telecom judge position.
