Claudia Sheinbaum is poised to make history as Mexico's first female president according to multiple exit polls following the country's recent elections. The Enkoll Institute's survey suggests a significant lead for Sheinbaum with 57.8% of the votes, followed by former center-right senator Xochitl Galvez at 29.1%. Centrist candidate Jorge Alvarez Maynez lagged behind with 11.4%. Similar trends were observed in polls conducted by Televisa and El Financiero.
Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City and a 61-year-old scientist, is likely to succeed her mentor, current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. As president, she would govern a country grappling with significant violence against women, highlighted by statistics from the UN that record an average of ten female murders per day in 2023. Additionally, 70% of Mexican women over 15 have encountered violence at least once in their lives.
The election day itself was marred by violence, with reports of multiple killings, including two attacks on polling stations and the assassination of several candidates. Sheinbaum, however, hailed the day as 'historic,' emphasizing her commitment to democracy and paying tribute to Ifigenia Martinez, a leftist pioneer, rather than voting for herself.
Claudia Sheinbaum’s academic and political background is extensive. Born in Mexico City in 1962, she earned a degree in Physics and later obtained a master's degree and a doctorate in Energy Engineering. She was a contributing author to the IPCC’s reports that earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Sheinbaum entered politics as the Secretary of the Environment of the Federal District from 2000-2006 under Lopez Obrador’s administration and continued to build her political career within the Morena party.
Her campaign focuses on continuing the 'Fourth Transformation,' a central policy of Lopez Obrador. She advocates for addressing migration issues through legal frameworks and economic investment in countries from which migrants originate. Economically, she aims to leverage nearshoring to create value chains that benefit Mexico beyond merely being a manufacturing hub.
International observers, including several former presidents and political leaders from the Puebla Group, are in Mexico to ensure transparency in this landmark election. Sheinbaum’s likely victory is supported by her strong academic background, close alignment with Lopez Obrador's policies, and a vision for Mexico that includes significant reforms in both social policy and economic strategy.
- These elections are particularly significant in the context of Mexico's political and social climate. Voters are essentially choosing between the continuation of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s policies or a new direction.
- The involvement of international observers is intended to enhance the credibility of the election process. Leaders like former Argentine President Alberto Fernández and ex-Bolivian President Evo Morales are part of a delegation tasked with monitoring the transparency of the vote.
- The campaign saw intense competition, especially in Mexico City’s local elections where candidates like Santiago Taboada and Clara Brugada vied for control. Taboada represented the opposition coalition while Brugada, aligned with the Morena party, proposed initiatives like the 'Feminist Utopia City' to focus on women's rights.
- Sheinbaum's policy proposals also emphasize the importance of international cooperation on migration and economic strategies such as nearshoring, aiming to ensure Mexico's economic stability and development.
