Mexico | The president is banking on continuity with her first appointments

(Mexico City) The president-designate of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, appointed the first six heavyweights of her government on Thursday, banking on continuity and experience, notably with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard.

Ms. Sheinbaum also appointed Juan Ramon de  la Fuente, Mexico’s representative to the United Nations since 2019, to Foreign Affairs.

“The international agenda will be marked by continuity,” declared the future head of diplomacy to the press, recalling that Mexico had “a tradition as a mediator country.”

Mexico has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while calling for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

Among the “new challenges,” he cited “the rights” of the millions of Mexicans living in the United States, a “priority” of the president-elect who will take office on October 1.

At Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, who was Ms. Sheinbaum’s main rival last year in the presidential race for the ruling left-wing Morena party, discussed treaties with the United States , Canada and the European Union.  

“We must complete the agreement with the European Union,” added the minister of distant French ancestry, referring to “complex electoral processes” underway in Europe.  

He also said he wanted to “attract investments that interest us,” citing the example of electric car manufacturer Tesla.  

A five billion dollar investment was announced in Mexico in early 2023, but construction of the factory has not yet begun.

The overwhelming victory of Ms. Sheinbaum and her majority in the Lower House and the Senate caused the fall of the Mexico stock exchange and the weakening of the peso, which had been very strong in recent years.

Scientist, former member of an IPCC panel, Ms. Sheinbaum appointed the current head of diplomacy Alcia Barcena to the Environment and Natural Resources.

In Agriculture, she appointed Julio Berdegué, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to the Ministry of Science, Rosaura Ruiz, doctor in Biology, and Ernestina Godoy, ex-prosecutor of Mexico, legal advisor to the presidency.