Photo Credits: Claudia Sheinbaum, the newly elected female president of Mexico on victory night | AP
MEXICO CITY — In a historic election, Claudia Sheinbaum, a U.S.-educated scientist-turned-politician, was elected Mexico’s first female president. This monumental achievement breaks longstanding gender barriers in a nation known for its deep-rooted machismo culture and high levels of violence against women.
“In 200 years of the Mexican republic, I have become the first woman president,” Sheinbaum proudly declared to her supporters in her acceptance speech. “This victory is not just mine; it belongs to all women. We have all arrived together.”
Sheinbaum, 62, a former mayor of Mexico City and a prominent figure in the leftist political sphere, will also be the first president of Jewish ancestry in predominantly Catholic Mexico. Her presidency will be closely watched as she navigates the challenges of leading a prosperous yet deeply polarized country plagued by widespread gang violence. She will also be in the shadow of her mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Preliminary vote counts show Sheinbaum winning in a landslide, securing 58% of the vote compared to her closest rival, Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, who garnered 30%. Gálvez, a successful businesswoman, ran a spirited campaign but could not overcome the political machinery of Morena, Sheinbaum’s party. Coming in third was Jorge Álvarez Máynez, a congressman.
Sheinbaum is the chosen successor of López Obrador, who founded Morena in 2011 and transformed it into a political powerhouse reminiscent of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which ruled Mexico for much of the 20th century.
López Obrador, limited by the constitution to a single six-year term, is a polarizing figure praised for lifting millions out of poverty but criticized for undermining democratic norms and failing to curb cartel violence. His presidency has left a significant impact, and Sheinbaum’s election continues his legacy.
The election was widely viewed as a referendum on López Obrador’s term. Many Sheinbaum supporters believe she will advance his anti-poverty policies, including welfare payments to students and older adults. “She is going to continue with all the help that the president has given us,” said Rosa Maria Velazco, a 52-year-old teacher.
Conversely, Gálvez supporters hoped for a change from López Obrador’s approach. Julieta Jujnovsky, a 45-year-old professor, expressed her frustration with the current government. “I am furious at this government,” she said, criticizing López Obrador’s attempts to reform the Supreme Court and other institutions, which she views as detrimental to democracy.
Sheinbaum’s victory marks a significant milestone in Mexico’s history, as women were barred from voting until 1954. Her success is partly a result of years of efforts by Mexican authorities to enforce gender equality, including a 2019 constitutional reform that mandated gender parity in all elected posts.
As Sheinbaum prepares to take office, she faces immense challenges, including addressing organized crime violence, managing tense negotiations with the United States over migration and drug trafficking, and continuing welfare programs amid a large deficit and sluggish economic growth.
Her presidency will begin on October 1, and the world will watch how she handles the expectations and responsibilities of leading Mexico during such a critical period.
