Claudia Sheinbaum Elected as Mexico’s First Female President
Mexico City, June 3, 2024 – In a landmark moment for Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as the country’s first female president, according to preliminary results from the National Electoral Institute (INE). Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City and a renowned climate scientist, secured a resounding victory with between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote.
The election results show a significant lead over her main competitor, Xóchitl Gálvez, who received between 26.6% and 28.6% of the votes.
Jorge Álvarez Máynez, the candidate from the Citizens’ Movement, finished third with between 9.9% and 10.8% of the vote. Voter turnout was high, with participation rates ranging from 58.9% to 61.7% of the nearly 100 million registered voters, making this the largest election in Mexico’s history.
In her victory speech to supporters, Sheinbaum emphasized unity and inclusivity.
“Even though many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico,” she said.
Sheinbaum also highlighted the historic nature of her win, noting, “For the first time in 200 years of the republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico.“
Sheinbaum’s triumph is closely linked to her association with outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, known as AMLO. As his political protege, Sheinbaum has been a loyal supporter of López Obrador’s policies, including his popular social welfare programs.
These programs, which have significantly reduced poverty levels, were a cornerstone of her campaign. López Obrador himself congratulated Sheinbaum, calling her victory a historic achievement for Mexico.
Despite her strong ties to López Obrador, Sheinbaum brings her own expertise to the presidency. At 61, she has an impressive background in environmental science, having been part of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change team that shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007.
However, she has faced criticism for supporting López Obrador’s pro-oil energy agenda, which some argue is at odds with her environmentalist credentials.
Sheinbaum’s administration will inherit significant challenges. Violence remains a critical issue, with over 30 political candidates assassinated in the run-up to the election. Sheinbaum has pledged to tackle this violence, citing her achievements as mayor of Mexico City, where she improved police conditions and intelligence capabilities.
Moreover, she will need to address Mexico’s largest budget deficit since the 1980s and navigate the country’s complex relationship with the United States.
Economic and social reforms will be high on her agenda. Sheinbaum has vowed to continue López Obrador’s initiatives, including universal pensions for seniors and scholarships for over 12 million students. Her focus will also include providing free fertilizers to small farm owners, among other welfare programs aimed at supporting Mexico’s poorest citizens.
The election represents a significant step forward for gender equality in Mexico, a country with one of the highest rates of femicide in the world. The historic nature of Sheinbaum’s victory has been celebrated nationwide, although it also reflects the electorate’s endorsement of López Obrador’s policies over the past six years.
With her inauguration scheduled for October 1, 2024, Sheinbaum’s six-year term will be closely watched both domestically and internationally. Her leadership promises to be a continuation of the current administration’s policies, yet she will also need to address the unique challenges of her tenure, aiming to build a safer, more equitable Mexico for all its citizens.