Mexico to Elect First Woman President in Historic Vote

On Sunday, Mexicans headed to the polls for a historic election, potentially electing the country’s first woman president. This landmark event, however, has been overshadowed by a wave of violence, making it one of the most tumultuous elections in Mexico’s history.

Historic Battle Between Two Women

The two leading candidates in this presidential race are women. Claudia Sheinbaum, a scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, represents the leftist Morena party. Sheinbaum is closely aligned with outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whose policies have heavily influenced her campaign. Opposing her is Xóchitl Gálvez, a businesswoman and former senator from the conservative PAN party, representing a coalition of opposition groups. Gálvez is currently trailing in second place according to the latest polls.

Jorge Álvarez Máynez, the youngest candidate and a representative of the center-left Citizens’ Movement, is also in the race, although his chances of winning are slim. His presence, however, adds a youthful perspective to the election.

 Largest Election in Mexican History

This election is the largest in Mexico’s history, with over 98 million registered voters and 1.4 million eligible to vote abroad. More than 20,000 positions are up for grabs, with an estimated 70,000 candidates vying for roles ranging from senators to mayors and governors. Despite the historic nature of the election, it has been marred by violence, with numerous political candidates and applicants killed by criminal organizations seeking to sway the outcome.

While voting was mostly peaceful on Sunday, violence disrupted polling in the southeastern town of Coyomeapan, causing authorities to suspend voting there. The election is also seen as a referendum on President López Obrador’s policies. His social welfare programs have been popular among poorer Mexicans, but his “hugs, not bullets” strategy to combat cartels has not significantly reduced homicide rates. 

President López Obrador greeted supporters as he cast his vote, signaling his continued influence in the political landscape. Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her happiness and urged Mexicans to vote, emphasizing the historic importance of the day. Xóchitl Gálvez acknowledged the significance of the election and anticipated a close race.

Challenges Await the Next President

The next president will face numerous challenges, including improving security, tackling organized crime, managing energy policies, and handling immigration issues. They will also need to navigate the crucial US-Mexico relationship. Public security is a primary concern for many voters, who cited it as their main issue when speaking to media outside polling stations.

The election has seen a tragic side, with over 20 political killings since September. Some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 34, according to consultancy firm Integralia. Despite a drop in the murder rate between 2019 and 2022, Mexico still struggles with high homicide levels, averaging around 30,000 murders annually.

Both Sheinbaum and Gálvez have been cautious about their security proposals. Neither has distanced themselves from the longstanding reliance on the armed forces to combat organized crime, a strategy that has not successfully reduced homicide rates.

The central challenge for the next president will be convincing voters they can end the pervasive culture of impunity. In 2022, approximately 95% of all crimes in Mexico went unsolved, according to the think tank Mexico Evalua.

A New Era for Women’s Rights?

Electing either Sheinbaum or Gálvez would mark a historic milestone for Mexico, particularly amid significant developments in women’s rights. With potential changes in US policies on women’s health, Mexican women might seek reproductive services across the border.

Despite the historic nature of their candidacies, both Sheinbaum and Gálvez face scrutiny. Sheinbaum’s strong support for López Obrador has drawn criticism, especially given his controversial remarks about women’s rights activists. As nearly 100 million Mexicans cast their ballots, the country debates whether Sheinbaum will champion feminist causes or if her presidency will bring significant political shifts.

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