The Rise of Feminine Power: A Woman Set to Break Stereotypes as the Next President in the Land of Machismo

The ruling party characterized it as a symbolic transfer of power, while the opposition vehemently criticized it as a symbol of handing over authority.

Due to constitutional limitations on seeking reelection, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico aimed to publicly demonstrate his endorsement of presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum last month. To convey this message, he presented his desired successor with a literal baton during a ceremony held outside a restaurant in Mexico City, located in proximity to the National Palace, where the country's executive power resides.

Sheinbaum, a former Mexico City mayor and a longtime political ally of Lopez Obrador, expressed her gratitude to him, stating that she aligned perfectly with his vision. As she accepted the baton, along with the presidential nomination of the leftist Morena party, Sheinbaum pledged to wholeheartedly embrace the responsibility of continuing the path set by the Mexican people, which was initiated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Mexico's ruling party Morena named Claudia Sheinbaum as its nominee for the 2024 presidential election on Wednesday.

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Mexico is poised to make history with its potential first female president as another strong female contender enters the race. Just days after Sheinbaum's nomination by Morena, former senator Xochitl Gálvez from the conservative PAN party emerged as the candidate of choice for Mexicos opposition coalition Broad Front.

Mexico has witnessed women running for the presidency in the past, with six previous female candidates preceding Sheinbaum and Gálvez. However, the significant development lies in both major political factions now nominating women, indicating that by December 2024, Mexico, a country previously associated with male dominance, will be governed by a woman. Nevertheless, there are critics who assert that the influence of the outgoing Lopez Obrador continues to cast a shadow over the competition.

Claudia Sheinbaum, left, and Xochitl Galvez

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Meet the candidates: Sheinbaum and Galvez

Gálvez's ascent in Mexican politics has been remarkably rapid. Despite not being favored by the PRI, PAN, and PRD, the parties that make up the Broad Front coalition, she gained prominence due to a public conflict with Lopez Obrador himself. In numerous news conferences, he consistently attacked her as a "wimp," "puppet," and "employee of the oligarchy." However, it was this very dispute that ultimately propelled her into the spotlight.

In June, Gálvez became an internet sensation when she made an attempt to enter the National Palace with a judicial order that granted her the right to respond to the president, having successfully sued López Obrador. Standing at the doors of the National Palace, she emphasized, "This is not a spectacle. The law is the law, period," to the attending reporters.

The daughter of a Native American father and a mother of mixed race, Gálvez previously served as the highest-ranking official for indigenous affairs during the presidency of Vicente Fox before transitioning to a role as a senator. Without filters and displaying irreverence, she characterized herself in a CNN en Español interview as "a woman of versatility, adaptability, and resilience."

Xochitl Galvez at the premises of the National Action Party.

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Mexico's president is launching an offensive, providing his rival with a political advantage. At first glance, Gálvez presents herself as a progressive figure. She has actively supported the rights and well-being of indigenous communities and Afro-Mexicans in the Mexican Congress. Moreover, during a recent regional conference in Monterrey, she boldly asserted that Mexico, despite its abundance of oil, should transition towards renewable energy. Without any remorse, Gálvez straightforwardly declared, "We haven't embraced this change due to our own incompetence."

In addition, Gálvez supports the continuation of leftist Lopez Obradors pension for senior citizens and suggests implementing a "universal social protection system" consisting of welfare programs targeting a significant portion of the middle and lower classes.

However, Gálvez's approach to security and combating organized crime is robust, relying on what she refers to as "intelligence, compassion, and strong enforcement." This includes bolstering local and state police forces by providing them with intelligence resources, advocating for and safeguarding victims, and upholding the principles of the rule of law.

Macario Schettino, a renowned Mexican university professor and political analyst at ITESM, describes Gálvez's political momentum as impressive. He highlights that only a few months ago, she had not been considered a candidate with a national profile. "She barely began to make an impact in politics, and yet she has already experienced significant growth. Many people in Mexico are still unfamiliar with her. She is expected to gain popularity," Schettino stated. On the other hand, Claudia Sheinbaum, a physicist with a doctorate in environmental engineering, would make history as the first president with Jewish heritage if she wins. However, she rarely discusses her personal background publicly and has governed as a secular leftist.

Currently leading in most polls, Sheinbaum poses as a formiddable adversary. With the support of the governing party and her five-year stint as mayor of Mexico's most prominent city, she has maintained a prominent position until her resignation in June to pursue the presidency.

In terms of policy, Sheinbaum has committed to upholding Lopez Obrador's initiatives and programs, such as providing pensions for all senior citizens, scholarships for over 12 million students, and free fertilizers for small-scale farmers. However, despite her close alignment with the president, the well-known former mayor dismisses criticism by asserting, "We are certainly not a replica of the president," as she stated in July.

Lopez Obrador promises to retire completely

Nevertheless, she remains unwavering in her advocacy for the shared principles: "To prioritize the well-being of all individuals, let us prioritize the impoverished. A government cannot claim affluence if its populace remains destitute. Power only possesses virtue when employed to serve the citizens," reiterated Sheinbaum, reiterating the same campaign slogans that Lopez Obrador has espoused for years.

Schettino suggests that Lopez Obrador sees Sheinbaum as his political ally, with Morena being an extension of his power. He supports his claim by pointing out that Morena has roots in the authoritarian Institutional Revolutionary Party, known as "The Dinosaur," which ruled Mexico for over seven decades until 2000. Additionally, he mentions the Party of Democratic Revolution, which split from the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

Lopez Obrador established Morena as a political party in 2012. Schettino characterizes Morena today as a "tyrannosaurus" under Lopez Obrador's influence. He argues that this demonstrates the current leader's desire for a successor who closely aligns with his own agenda. Schettino describes Lopez Obrador as a dinosaur and a tyrant who wishes to remain in power.

"I believe he played a role in the development of Claudia's candidacy," stated Schettino.

Despite that, Lopez Obrador has continuously denied allegations of authoritarian inclinations or favoring a candidate he can manipulate. Earlier this year, he refuted having any preferred candidates within his party or exerting influence in favor of any specific candidate behind closed doors.

The president, in February, stated that he plans to retire completely once his six-year term in office concludes. He expressed that he will not engage in any future public events, nor hold any positions or act as an advisor to anyone. Furthermore, he made clear that he intends to sever ties with politicians and will refrain from discussing politics.