Mexico Elects First Female President

The former mayor of the nation’s capital and candidate for the ruling Morena party won Sunday’s election by a margin of at least 30 per cent, according to the electoral body.

With nearly 40 per cent of the votes counted, Mexico’s electoral authority estimates that Sheinbaum is on track to win the race with between 58 per cent to over 60 per cent of the votes cast. Her nearest rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, who is also female, is projected to get between 26 per cent and 28 per cent of the vote, while the other opposition candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, is expected to secure between 9 per cent and 10 percent of the vote.

Speaking after the electoral body made its announcement, an elated Sheinbaum said, “For the first time in 200 years of the republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico.”

Speaking on her plans to take Mexico to the next level, she said: “We imagine a plural, diverse, and democratic Mexico. Our duty is and will always be to look after each and every Mexican, without distinction. Even if many Mexicans do not fully agree with our project, we will have to walk in peace and harmony to continue building a fair and more prosperous Mexico.”

Sheinbaum expressed her gratitude to the people of Mexico, saying: “I want to thank the people of Mexico for their recognition of our history, results, conviction, and will, but above all for their recognition of our national project.” Her words were met with cheers from a jubilant crowd.

Mexico’s outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador who is seen as her mentor, congratulated Sheinbaum on his official X account, saying: “I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum, who triumphed by a wide margin. She’ll be the first female president of Mexico in 200 years … And she may also be the president with the most votes in all the history of our country.”

Sheinbaum’s journey to the presidency began as the mayor of Mexico City, the capital of the North American nation. She was the first woman to hold that position, which she resigned from in 2023 to run for the presidency. Before her political career, Sheinbaum was a climate scientist and an environmentalist who entered politics at the invitation of her mentor, the outgoing president, who appointed her as his secretary of environment when he was the mayor of Mexico City.

Sheinbaum’s victory marks a significant milestone for Mexico and her presidency will be closely watched both domestically and internationally. She promised Mexicans that she will not fail.