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After a contentious election, Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum, a former mayor of the capital, as the country’s first female president.
According to the National Electoral Institute of Mexico, Sheinbaum, who some say is a protégé of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, secured over 58 percent of the national vote. Her victory cements the governing Morena party’s dominance, continuing the legacy of Lopez Obrador’s “anti-establishment” stance that brought him to power in 2018.
Gracias, gracias, gracias; no les voy a fallar. Vamos a avanzar con el Segundo Piso de la Cuarta Transformación. pic.twitter.com/vwXlA7w54X
— Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum (@Claudiashein) June 3, 2024
In her victory speech, Sheinbaum pledged, “I commit to you that I will not let you down. There is history, there is homeland, there is people, and there is commitment.” Meanwhile, opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez conceded defeat. In a statement to local media, she said, “A few minutes ago, I contacted … Sheinbaum to acknowledge the election result. I told her that I saw a Mexico with a lot of pain and violence and that I hope she can resolve the serious problems of our people.”
Sheinbaum’s campaign emphasized continuity with Lopez Obrador’s policies, particularly his non-confrontational stance on organized crime, which has redirected the National Guard’s focus to migration enforcement. This approach has significant implications for US-Mexico relations, especially concerning migration policies.
Throughout her campaign, Sheinbaum faced scrutiny over her close relationship with Lopez Obrador, whose critics accuse him of authoritarian tendencies. Both have asserted their independence, with Lopez Obrador declaring his complete retirement from politics and his commitment not to influence Sheinbaum’s administration.
President Biden congratulated Sheinbaum on her historic win and expressed optimism about future collaborations.
Sheinbaum, who will begin her six-year term on October 1, marks a significant milestone as both the first woman and the first Jewish president of Mexico.
