Mexico Makes History with Election of Claudia Sheinbaum as First Female President
Mexico has made history by electing Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president in a landslide victory. The 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City secured between 58% and 60% of the vote, defeating her main rival, businesswoman Xóchitl Gálvez, by nearly 30 percentage points. She will succeed outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on 1 October.
Sheinbaum, a former energy scientist, has pledged to continue the progress made by López Obrador, promising voters that she “won’t fail you.” Supporters gathered at Mexico City’s Zócalo square to celebrate her victory, waving banners that read “Claudia Sheinbaum, president.”
Before entering politics, Sheinbaum had a successful career as a scientist, studying energy consumption patterns and climate change. She served as the mayor of Mexico City from 2018 to 2023 before running for president. The election marked a significant moment for women in Mexico, with many celebrating the historic milestone of a female president.
Despite the positive outcome of the election, the campaign was marred by violent attacks, with over 20 reported deaths of local candidates across Mexico. Gálvez, Sheinbaum’s rival, criticized the government’s handling of the violence, promising to take a tough stance on crime if elected.
López Obrador, who was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, threw his support behind Sheinbaum, citing her commitment to addressing poverty and continuing his administration’s initiatives. The election also saw voters selecting members of Congress, governors, and local officials, with many supporting Morena’s anti-poverty agenda.
While economists have noted various factors contributing to Mexico’s progress in recent years, including an increase in remittances, voters expressed confidence in Sheinbaum’s ability to lead the country forward. As Mexico prepares for a new chapter under its first female president, the nation is poised for continued growth and development under Sheinbaum’s leadership.