Mexican Senate Begins Appointment Process for New Attorney General
Following the resignation of Alejandro Gertz, the Senate activates the constitutional mechanism to compile the list of candidates and appoint the new head of the Attorney General’s Office.
The Mexican Senate has activated the constitutional deadlines for the appointment of a new Attorney General following the resignation of Attorney General Alejandro Gertz. Photo: EFE.
November 28, 2025 Hour: 4:57 pm
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The Mexican Senate has swiftly initiated the constitutional process for appointing the next Attorney General of the Republic (FGR). This move comes after the resignation of Attorney General Alejandro Gertz, who left the position he had held since 2019 to accept a federal government offer to become ambassador.
According to the established legislative procedure, the Senate has 20 days to prepare and approve an initial list of at least ten qualified candidates for the position. This list will be sent to the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who will then have ten days to select and submit to the Senate a shortlist of three candidates based on this initial selection.
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In parallel, Gertz’s resignation was accompanied by an agreement appointing the former Legal Counsel to the Presidency, Ernestina Godoy, as interim Attorney General, ensuring the agency’s continued operation. However, the main focus of the legislative branch is on the final selection, for which the application period will be open from this Friday, January 28, until Sunday, January 7, 2026.
The regulations establish strict requirements for applicants: they must be Mexican citizens by birth, at least 35 years old, hold a law degree with a minimum of ten years of experience, have a good reputation, and not have been convicted of an intentional crime. Furthermore, in compliance with Article 41 of the Constitution, the appointment process will guarantee the principle of gender parity.
Once President Sheinbaum submits the shortlist, the Senate will summon the three candidates to appear in separate plenary sessions, with each having twenty minutes to present their work plan. The final appointment of the new Attorney General will be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the session, a majority that the governing coalition, led by Morena, currently holds.
The procedure also outlines scenarios in case of missed deadlines. If the president fails to submit the shortlist on time, the Senate is authorized to select the new Attorney General from the original list of ten candidates. If the Senate, in turn, fails to make a final appointment within its deadline, the president may directly appoint the Attorney General from the existing list or shortlist.
Author: HGV
Source: Telesur
