Claudia Sheinbaum makes history as Mexico’s first female president with landslide victory

By Horace Palacio: Claudia Sheinbaum has made history by being elected as Mexico’s first woman president in a sweeping victory. The country’s official electoral authority announced that preliminary results showed the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City winning between 58% and 60% of the vote in Sunday’s election, securing a decisive lead of about 30 percentage points over her main rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez.

Ms. Sheinbaum will assume office on October 1, replacing her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In her victory speech, Ms. Sheinbaum highlighted the historic nature of her win, stating, “For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico.” She emphasized that her victory was not just personal but a milestone for all women in Mexico, promising, “I won’t fail you.”

Her opponent, Ms. Gálvez, conceded defeat gracefully, acknowledging Ms. Sheinbaum’s significant lead. The election, which featured two female front-runners, marked a significant moment for gender equality in Mexico. Edelmira Montiel, an 87-year-old voter, reflected on the progress made since women were first allowed to vote in national elections in 1953. “Before, we couldn’t even vote, and when you could, it was to vote for the person your husband told you to vote for. Thank God that has changed and I get to live it,” she said.

Ms. Sheinbaum, a former energy scientist with a distinguished academic and professional background, has promised continuity with the policies of President López Obrador, particularly focusing on expanding welfare programs. Her academic credentials include a doctorate in energy engineering, and she has been recognized as an expert on climate change. Her career in politics began as the secretary of the environment for Mexico City when López Obrador was mayor, eventually leading to her election as the first female mayor of Mexico City in 2018.

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the election campaign was marred by violence, with over 20 local candidates killed across the country, according to government reports. Ms. Gálvez criticized the government’s handling of the violence, highlighting the urgent need to address the power of criminal cartels.

Ms. Sheinbaum has expressed her commitment to tackling the root causes of violence by investing in welfare programs to prevent young Mexicans from being drawn into criminal activities. On foreign policy, she has promised to foster a “relationship of friendship, mutual respect and equality” with the United States, while also pledging to defend the rights of Mexicans living in the U.S.

President López Obrador, who has been a significant supporter of Ms. Sheinbaum, leaves office with a high approval rating of close to 60%, which significantly bolstered her campaign. Many voters who supported her cited their approval of Morena’s program to alleviate poverty and their desire to see it continued under her leadership.

As Ms. Sheinbaum prepares to take office, she faces numerous challenges, including addressing the pervasive violence and strengthening Mexico’s international relationships. Her historic election marks a new chapter for Mexico, as she vows to lead with the same spirit of progress and reform that characterized her predecessor’s administration.

 

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