 "Claudia Sheinbaum makes history as Mexico’s first woman president. Who is she?")
Claudia Sheinbaum from the leftist Morena party has been elected Mexico’s first woman president, securing at least 58.3 per cent of the vote, according to results reported by the National Electoral Institute (INE) in Mexico.
Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City achieved a decisive victory over her closest rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, from the opposition coalition, who received at least 26.6 per cent of the vote. Jorge Álvarez Máynez, the candidate of the centrist Movimiento Ciudadano, came in third with at least 9.9 per cent.
Sheinbaum’s victory surpasses the 54.71 per cent achieved by her populist mentor, outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in 2018
The head of the ruling MORENA party Mario Delgado has earlier told supporters in Mexico City that Sheinbaum had won by a “very large” margin, reports Reuters.
The 61-year-old is set to make history but not for the first time. An environmental engineer, she was also the first woman and Jewish individual to serve as mayor of Mexico City, holding the position from 2018 to 2023. Her lineage traces back to Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, and she is the daughter of two scientists who actively participated in the student movements of 1968 in Mexico City.
We take a look at her personal journey and foray into politics:
Early life and academic pursuits
Born on 24 June 1962, in Mexico City, to esteemed scientists Annie Pardo Cemo, a biologist, and Carlos Sheinbaum, a chemical engineer, Sheinbaum pursued her higher education at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
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More ShortsAt UNAM, Sheinbaum earned a Bachelor’s degree in physics, delving into the intricacies of the natural world and laying the foundation for her future endeavours. She continued pursuing further studies and achieved a Master’s degree in energy engineering and a doctorate in environmental engineering. Her doctoral research, conducted at the University of California’s Berkeley Lab, focused on analysing energy consumption trends in Mexico, shedding light on crucial aspects of the country’s energy landscape.
Political activism and career milestones
Throughout her academic journey, Sheinbaum remained deeply engaged in political activism, channelling her expertise and passion into advocating for social and environmental causes. In 1998, she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the student-led Revolutionary Democratic Party, underscoring her commitment to effecting positive change through political means.
In 2000, Sheinbaum embarked on a new chapter in her political career, assuming the role of Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City under the administration of then-Mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador. During her tenure, she spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and combating environmental degradation.
Notable accomplishments include the implementation of the Metrobus, a revolutionary bus rapid transit system, and the construction of the second level of Mexico City’s periférico, a vital infrastructure project aimed at alleviating traffic congestion.
Following López Obrador’s unsuccessful presidential bid in 2006, Sheinbaum continued her academic pursuits while remaining actively involved in political affairs. She contributed to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), earning recognition for her invaluable contributions to global efforts to address climate change.
In 2014, Sheinbaum made a significant political decision, officially resigning from the Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD) and joining López Obrador’s newly established political party, Morena (Movimiento Regeneración Nacional). This strategic move underscored her unwavering commitment to advancing progressive ideals and advocating for meaningful change within Mexico’s political landscape.
Mayoral tenure and legacy
Sheinbaum’s political journey reached new heights in 2015 when she was elected as the mayor of Tlalpan, Mexico City’s largest borough. Despite facing challenges and criticism during her tenure, including the tragic collapse of the Colegio Rebsamen school during the 2017 earthquake, Sheinbaum’s leadership and resilience remained unwavering.
In 2018, Sheinbaum shattered barriers once again, making history as the first woman elected as mayor of Mexico City. Her tenure was marked by a relentless focus on addressing pressing issues such as public transportation and water challenges. She championed initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
Despite facing formidable challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of Line 12 of Mexico City’s metro, Sheinbaum’s administration garnered praise for its effective response and decisive action. Her administration’s innovative approaches, such as online registration for vaccinations, set a precedent for effective governance and earned widespread acclaim.
Presidential ambitions and political vision
Sheinbaum announced her candidacy for Mexico’s presidential election in 2024, stepping down as Mexico City’s mayor to run for president under MORENA.
With a track record of proven leadership, Sheinbaum has emerged as a leading candidate in Mexico’s presidential election. Her candidacy, endorsed by Morena, is being symbolised as a beacon of hope for millions of Mexicans seeking transformative change and progressive leadership.
Sheinbaum’s political vision prioritised addressing inequality and promoting sustainable development. Her platform emphasised crucial issues such as water management, public transportation infrastructure, and environmental conservation.
Considered an ideological successor to López Obrador, Sheinbaum advocates for leftist policies, including basic rights to healthcare, education, shelter, and jobs. Sheinbaum diverges from some aspects of MORENA’s policies, particularly on climate change and job creation, advocating for a shift toward renewable energy sources.
A look at Sheinbaum’s opponents, Gálvez and Máynez
Xóchitl Gálvez: Charged with spearheading a coalition comprising various political parties whose affiliations have evolved over time — spanning from the conservative National Action Party (PAN), to the traditionally influential Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and the formerly left-leaning Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) — which, for many constituents, have diminished in appeal. Gálvez , having experienced poverty firsthand, transitioned from a career as a businesswoman to a role in politics.
Jorge Álvarez Máynez: Máynez entered the presidential race as the final contender, stepping in as the nominee of the emerging Movimiento Ciudadano party on January 9, following the withdrawal of Nuevo León Governor Samuel García. Prior to this, Álvarez Máynez served as García’s campaign coordinator and held a position as a lawmaker in Mexico’s lower house.
What do opinion polls say?
In a recent March poll, Sheinbaum maintained a lead of 19 percentage points over her main opposition contender, Xochitl Galvez. According to a survey conducted by Grupo de Economistas y Asociados (GEA) and Investigaciones Sociales Aplicadas (ISA), 52% of respondents expressed their intention to vote for Sheinbaum, consistent with the results of a prior poll in December.
Meanwhile, support for Galvez saw a slight increase to 33 per cent from 30 per cent. Jorge Alvarez Maynez, from Movimiento Ciudadano, garnered four per cent of support, while 12 per cent of respondents remained undecided.
Additionally, the poll assessed the approval rating of outgoing President Lopez Obrador, which dipped to 51 per cent from 55 per cent in the previous survey. Approximately 60 per cent of respondents believe that Lopez Obrador, commonly referred to as AMLO, will seek to influence the decisions of the next administration.
While Obrador retains broad popularity, he is restricted by law to a single six-year term.
Mexico held its largest election on Sunday. Over 98 million voters were registered to cast a ballot and more than 20,000 positions are set to be filled. Voters picked a new president for a six-year term and filled 500 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and all 128 seats in the Senate of the Republic.
The election has been overshadowed by violence, with dozens of candidates killed in campaigns for offices nationwide.
And it is safe to say that Mexico has made history and joined the ranks of an exceptional cohort of nations.
With inputs from agencies
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