Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum makes history as first female President

In a historic landslide victory, Claudia Sheinbaum has secured the presidency of Mexico, becoming the country’s first female leader. Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, inherits the mantle from her mentor and outgoing president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Mexico’s presidential candidate for Morena party Claudia Sheinbaum celebrates following the results of the general election in Mexico City, on June 3, 2024. – Claudia Sheinbaum was set to be elected Mexico’s first woman president, exit polls showed, a milestone in a country with a history of gender-based violence. (Photo by Gerardo Luna / AFP)

Preliminary results from a rapid sample count conducted by Mexico’s electoral authority reveal that Sheinbaum garnered between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, marking the highest percentage ever recorded in Mexico’s democratic history. The overwhelming support for Sheinbaum underscores the enduring popularity of Lopez Obrador, particularly among the country’s poorer demographics, which played a pivotal role in her triumph.

Opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez gracefully conceded defeat as initial tallies placed her securing between 26.6% and 28.6% of the vote. Sheinbaum’s victory represents a significant milestone for Mexico, a nation steeped in machismo culture and tradition, and home to one of the world’s largest Roman Catholic populations. For years, Mexico has grappled with gender norms that often relegated women to more traditional roles, making Sheinbaum’s ascent to the presidency all the more remarkable.

In addition to Sheinbaum’s historic win, reports indicate that the ruling coalition is poised to secure a potential two-thirds super majority in both houses of Congress. This outcome would grant the coalition the authority to enact constitutional reforms without the need for opposition support, signaling a significant shift in Mexico’s political landscape.

As Claudia Sheinbaum prepares to assume the presidency, her victory marks a new chapter in Mexico’s political history, one that promises progress and inclusivity for all its citizens.