Claudia Sheinbaum has become the first woman to be elected President of Mexico. The candidate of the ruling MORENA party, Sheinbaum secured a landslide victory with an estimated 58% to 60% of the vote. Her main opponent, Xochitl Galvez, trails with 30%.
Sheinbaum’s triumph marks a significant milestone for Mexico, a country known for its traditionally patriarchal culture. The former Mexico City mayor and climate scientist has broken barriers and challenged gender stereotypes, paving the way for a new era in Mexican politics.
“For the first time in the 200 years of the Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” she said in her victory speech Sunday evening. “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.”
As the protégé of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaum is expected to continue many of his popular welfare policies that have garnered support among Mexico’s poorest citizens. However, she faces the daunting task of balancing these commitments with the challenges of a substantial budget deficit and sluggish economic growth.
“I promise to you that I will not fail you,” Sheinbaum declared.
Another pressing issue for the incoming president is the country’s ongoing struggle with violence and organized crime. The 2024 election season alone has been marred by the murders of a total of 38 candidates. Sheinbaum has pledged to improve security but has offered few concrete details on how she plans to achieve this goal.
Despite these challenges, Sheinbaum’s victory is a cause for celebration among her supporters, who see her as a symbol of progress and change. As 87-year-old Edelmira Montiel, a Sheinbaum supporter from Tlaxcala, 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.”
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