In a landmark election, Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as the first female president of Mexico, marking a historic moment for the nation. The official electoral authority announced preliminary results indicating a decisive victory for the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City. Sheinbaum secured between 58% and 60% of the vote in Sunday’s election, granting her a substantial lead of approximately 30 percentage points over her main competitor, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez. She is set to succeed her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on October 1st.
Image: Jubilant supporters of Claudia Sheinbaum, the newly elected female Mexican president, celebrate her historic victory, highlighting the widespread enthusiasm for this political milestone.
For many, the election of a woman to Mexico’s highest office carries profound emotional significance. Sheinbaum, with her background as an energy scientist, campaigned on a platform of continuity, pledging to advance the policies of López Obrador and expand upon the welfare programs that contributed to his popularity. In her victory address, Sheinbaum emphasized the groundbreaking nature of her election. “For the first time in the 200 years of the Mexican Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” she declared to her jubilant supporters. She underscored that this achievement belonged to all women, stating, “I’ve said it from the start, this is not just about me getting [to the top office], it’s about all of us getting here.” She concluded her speech with a promise, “I won’t fail you,” and acknowledged her rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, for conceding the election.
Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling: A Milestone for Women in Mexico
Sheinbaum’s path to the presidency was paved by her tenure as mayor of Mexico City, a politically influential position often seen as a stepping stone to the nation’s highest office. Her background is notable; her maternal Jewish grandparents immigrated to Mexico from Bulgaria to escape Nazi persecution, while her paternal grandparents were from Lithuania. Before entering politics, Sheinbaum established herself as a scientist, inheriting a passion for academia from both her parents. She holds a doctorate in energy engineering and spent considerable time at a research lab in California, focusing on Mexican energy consumption and becoming a recognized expert on climate change.
Her scientific expertise and early activism led her to become Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City when Andrés Manuel López Obrador was the city’s mayor. In 2018, she achieved another milestone by becoming the first woman elected mayor of Mexico City, a position she held until 2023 before resigning to pursue her presidential ambitions.
Image: Elated supporters of Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, congregating at the Zócalo in Mexico City to celebrate her historic election victory.
The presidential race between Sheinbaum and Gálvez has been widely recognized as a watershed moment for women in Mexican politics. Edelmira Montiel, an 87-year-old voter, expressed her gratitude at witnessing a woman reach the presidency. Recalling the historical disenfranchisement of women, she told Reuters, “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.” It’s worth noting that women in Mexico were granted the right to vote in national elections only in 1953.
Despite the celebratory aspect of having two female frontrunners, the election campaign was overshadowed by violence, particularly targeting local candidates. Alongside the presidential election, voters also cast ballots for all members of Congress, governorships in eight states, the head of Mexico City’s government, and numerous local positions. Tragically, over 20 local candidates were reported killed across Mexico during the campaign period, with some surveys citing a higher figure of 37.
Gálvez, during her campaign, was critical of the government’s handling of the pervasive violence in Mexico. She vowed to be a “brave president” who would directly confront crime, yet she provided limited specifics on her strategies to combat the powerful criminal cartels responsible for much of the violence. After Sheinbaum’s victory became clear, Gálvez contacted her, conveying her concerns about the “pain and violence” in Mexico and wishing Sheinbaum success in addressing these critical issues.
Image: Xóchitl Gálvez acknowledging her defeat in the Mexican presidential election, paving the way for Claudia Sheinbaum to become the first female president.
Challenges and Future Directions for Mexico’s First Female Leader
Addressing the entrenched issue of violent cartels will be a paramount challenge for Sheinbaum’s presidency. She has articulated her approach, emphasizing tackling the root causes of violence through investment in welfare programs. Her aim is to prevent vulnerable young Mexicans from being recruited into criminal organizations.
Regarding Mexico’s relationship with the United States, which experienced tensions under López Obrador, Sheinbaum indicated she would strive for “a relationship of friendship, mutual respect and equality.” She also pledged to “always defend the Mexicans who are on the other side of the border,” referencing the significant Mexican diaspora in the US.
Relations between the US and Mexico had become strained during López Obrador’s term, which began in 2018. Limited to a single six-year term by the Mexican constitution, López Obrador strongly supported Sheinbaum as his successor. His endorsement proved to be a considerable asset, given his high approval ratings of nearly 60%. Many Sheinbaum voters expressed their support for continuing López Obrador’s party program focused on poverty alleviation.
With additional reporting by BBC Monitoring in Miami.
