Argentina Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Judicial Reform Law

    BUENOS AIRES--Argentina's Supreme Court struck down a key pillar of a judicial reform law pushed by President Cristina Kirchner, throwing out legislation calling for general elections of the members of a judicial board.

    The board, known as the Consejo de la Magistratura in Spanish, is charged with nominating judges and sanctioning them for violations.

    Critics had called the law a full-frontal assault on the independence of the judiciary and celebrated the supreme court's ruling.

    President Kirchner has recently touted the reform as a needed "democratization" of the courts.

    Seven of the justices signed the ruling finding the reform unconstitutional, while one voted to uphold the law, according to the federal government's judicial news website.

    Write to Shane Romig at