Mexico is on the brink of electing its first female president in the upcoming 2024 general election. Both of the country’s leading political parties have nominated formidable women candidates, marking a significant milestone in Mexican politics.
On Wednesday, the ruling party, Morena, officially announced Claudia Sheinbaum as its nominee for the presidential race. Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City, is poised to make history if elected as Mexico’s first female president. Her nomination comes as no surprise, given her longstanding association with outgoing leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whom she has supported throughout his political career.
Born in Mexico City in 1962, Sheinbaum is not only a seasoned politician but also a highly educated professional, holding a PhD in energy engineering and a physics degree. Her political journey began in the year 2000 when she served as the secretary of the environment during Obrador’s tenure as mayor of Mexico City. Sheinbaum’s dedication to public service led her to win the election for Mexico City mayor in 2018, a role she left behind to pursue her ambition of running for the presidency within her party, of which she is a founder.
Sheinbaum will face stiff competition from Senator Xóchitl Gálvez, the nominee of the opposition coalition “Frente Amplio Por Mexico.” Gálvez’s journey to this historic nomination has been marked by resilience and determination. Hailing from humble beginnings, she overcame significant odds to study computer engineering, eventually establishing herself as a successful businesswoman.
Her political career began in 2015 when she was elected as the mayor of the Miguel Hidalgo borough in Mexico City. In 2018, she secured a seat in the Senate as a member of the National Action Party (PAN), setting the stage for her current presidential bid. Gálvez’s nomination represents a significant challenge to Sheinbaum’s candidacy, and she has expressed her determination to overcome any obstacles in her path.
In a separate historic decision, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the existing restrictions on abortion are unconstitutional. This landmark ruling has paved the way for the nationwide decriminalization of abortion, marking a significant step forward for women’s rights in Mexico. The court’s decision was based on the recognition that penalizing abortion violated the human rights of women and individuals with the capacity to gestate.
The 2024 general election in Mexico promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s history, with the possibility of electing its first female president and advancing women’s reproductive rights. As the campaigns unfold, all eyes will be on the two formidable women vying for the country’s highest office, and the political landscape continues to evolve in Mexico.
