Written by:Carlos Sanchez🇲🇽
Image Via The Associated Press
Mexico has broken the glass ceiling in a remarkable landslide victory for Claudia Sheinbaum.
As the election results came in across Mexico, one thing was clear. Claudia Sheinbaum had gotten a decisive victory against her closest rival, Xochitl Galves, 59% vs. 28%. Not only did this mean the return of MORENA leadership to a Mexican populace that highly supported former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), but it also meant a landmark result which would set a historic precedent.
Not only is Sheinbaum the first woman president in Mexico’s history, but she's also the first jewish president in Mexico’s history. The importance of this all cannot be understated. Mexico unfortunately is marred with gender based violence and misogyny, Sheinbaum’s victory will be a shining light, in an otherwise uncertain place for women. Culturally, Sheinbaum’s victory may be the markings of a shift in Mexico as well.
For centuries, the patriarchy like in many other nations has remained strong. Even in modern Mexico, the patriarchy is still the primary way Mexican society functions. It permeates families, all the way down to the societal pressure families place on their daughters to focus on learning skills to appease and attract their future husband, such as cleaning and cooking.
Mexico electing its first female president is incredible, setting the example for nation’s such as the United States to follow. Sheinbaum’s victory in Mexico represents a potentially transformative change in how religion impacts Mexican society. Since its colonization by Spain, Roman Catholicism has been intertwined in Mexican society and culture.
Sheinbaum’s election to the highest office in the nation may serve to increase the separation of church and state in Mexico, allowing for other religious groups to feel more comfortable expressing their identity and beliefs.
As to how Sheinbaum will lead, a few things are clear from the start. Sheinbaum has run her campaign and promised to carry on Lopez-Obrador’s legacy and popular social programs, such as a universal pension and cash payments for low income residents of Mexico.
As these reforms proved to be very popular, I definitely see these continuing in the future, along with additional social reforms. Sheinbaum’s unique background also sets Mexico up for many more changes under her presidency. With Sheinbaum having a Ph.D. in energy engineering, and her background as a climate scientist, Mexico is poised to make big changes.
Progressive policy in the fields of climate action, social justice, and economic development are likely given her academic and professional background. Evidence based policymaking will reign in Mexico under her presidency, something that can’t be said for many former Mexican presidents, even her own predecessor AMLO.
Sheinbaum is more than qualified for the role, as she participated in a UN panel of climate scientists awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, and was former governor of Mexico City.
Given this versatile background, she is well prepared to fight for Mexico on the global stage. Her experience leading one of the largest cities in the northern hemisphere will only serve her well as she ascends to the presidency.
As the head of Government in Mexico City, she made significant strides in improving air quality, expanding public transportation, and implementing green urban projects. In a Sheinbaum presidency, many of these changes will be replicated across Mexico, with beneficial effects for Mexican citizens.
While Sheinbaum’s record is incredibly decorated, she faces many issues both domestically and internationally. Domestically, these elections have been some of the most violent in Mexican history, with more than 30 political candidates being assassinated in the run up to these elections.
Restoring electoral confidence must be a priority, as many citizens will be left wondering how so many killings were allowed to take place, and even whether the government collaborated with other groups in these killings.
The elephant in the room is Mexico’s cartel crisis. During Lopez-Obrador’s presidency, the power of the cartels only grew.
As Sheinbaum inherits this new status quo, she must figure out how to reverse course and deal with the cartels, many of which are kidnapping innocent Mexicans and causing unrest across the nation.
American politics is another issue that must be dealt with, since relations with the U.S. are currently strained due to the current political climate in the U.S. as well as cooperation over issues such as immigration and drug trafficking. Sheinbaum must balance U.S. intervention in both issues while also ensuring Mexican sovereignty and popular support for measures meant to deal with either.
As a whole, Mexico faces a promising future, one filled with progressive reforms as well as a president that breaks every norm that’s previously existed in Mexico. Many issues remain however, and dealing with these issues will be crucial in order for Sheinbaum’s party to have a continued chance at reelection, and for her own success as a president.
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