Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City and a member of the ruling MORENA party, is set to become Mexico's first female president following a decisive election victory. Preliminary results indicate she secured between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote according to the National Electoral Institute (INE), significantly ahead of her main opponent, Xóchitl Gálvez, who garnered between 26.6% and 28.6%.
Sheinbaum's expected win marks a historic moment for Mexico, a nation with a deeply rooted patriarchal culture. The election has been one of the most violent in Mexico's recent history, with reports of at least 36 candidates killed and several polling stations attacked.
Sheinbaum has pledged to continue the policies of outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, including social welfare programs. However, she faces challenges such as addressing organized crime, negotiating with the United States on issues like drug trafficking and migration, and tackling domestic issues like water and electricity shortages.
The new administration will also have to manage Mexico’s significant budget deficit and economic challenges. If confirmed, Sheinbaum's term will start on October 1 and last for six years, concluding in 2030.