www.washingtonpost.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
23.37.45.67
Public Scan
Submitted URL: https://s2.washingtonpost.com/3ded9ea/6662da62d63fc72de9c9b435/65253ab30e88230c94874e32/14/26/6662da62d63fc72de9c9b435
Effective URL: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/02/mexico-president-election-sheinbaum-galvez/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq-int...
Submission: On June 07 via api from BE — Scanned from DE
Effective URL: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/02/mexico-president-election-sheinbaum-galvez/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq-int...
Submission: On June 07 via api from BE — Scanned from DE
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
<form class="wpds-c-gRPFSl wpds-c-gRPFSl-jGNYrR-isSlim-false">
<div class="transition-all duration-200 ease-in-out"><button type="submit" data-qa="sc-newsletter-signup-button" class="wpds-c-kSOqLF wpds-c-kSOqLF-uTUwn-variant-primary wpds-c-kSOqLF-eHdizY-density-default wpds-c-kSOqLF-ejCoEP-icon-left">Sign
up</button></div>
</form>Text Content
Accessibility statementSkip to main content Democracy Dies in Darkness SubscribeSign in Advertisement Democracy Dies in Darkness WorldAmericas War In Ukraine Africa Asia Europe Middle East WorldAmericas War In Ukraine Africa Asia Europe Middle East CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM ELECTED MEXICO’S FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT The historic vote underscored the nation’s progress on gender equity, but the Morena victory highlighted concerns about the weakening of its democratic institutions. By Mary Beth Sheridan and Paulina Villegas Updated June 3, 2024 at 4:11 a.m. EDT|Published June 2, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. EDT Mexico elects first female president 1:20 Mexico elected former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum as president in a landslide election on June 2. (Video: Reuters) Listen 8 min Share Comment on this storyComment1489 Add to your saved stories Save MEXICO CITY — Claudia Sheinbaum was elected Mexico’s first female president in a landslide on Sunday, an official quick count of votes showed, cementing the dominance of the left-leaning Morena movement that over the past six years has upended the country’s political establishment. Subscribe for unlimited access to The Post You can cancel anytime. Subscribe Her victory stunned an opposition that’s accused Morena of weakening the country’s democratic institutions. The former Mexico City mayor led with more than 58 percent of the vote, according to the count released by the National Electoral Institute. Her triumph ensures another six years in power for Morena, founded 13 years ago by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a charismatic leader who has emphasized helping the poor. Story continues below advertisement Skip to end of carousel MEXICO’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum casts her vote Sunday in Mexico City. (Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images) Mexican voters on Sunday elected Claudia Sheinbaum the country’s first female president. The 61-year-old engineer defeated Xóchitl Gálvez to succeed her political mentor, outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, following a campaign marred by violence. López Obrador, the leftist founder of the Morena movement, loomed large over the contest. End of carousel Sheinbaum, 61, an engineering professor and protégée of López Obrador, appeared likely to surpass even the massive number of votes he received in 2018, defeating her top rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, by a 2-1 margin. Morena and its allies also appeared close to winning a supermajority in Congress, which would allow them to change the constitution. Advertisement Gálvez, a pro-business tech entrepreneur with Indigenous origins, called Sheinbaum to concede early Monday. GET CAUGHT UP SUMMARIZED STORIES TO QUICKLY STAY INFORMED PreviousNext A year of record global heat has pushed Earth closer to dangerous threshold * Temperatures surpassed the 1.5-degree Celsius warming threshold over the past year. * Scientists warn this is likely to recur soon, spurring calls for action ahead of a G-7 meeting. * Researchers attribute the warming to human emissions, El Niño effects. SparkleSummary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed. See moreExpand content Border agents begin turning back migrants under new Biden restrictions * The measures block migrants’ access to the asylum system when illegal crossings hit a threshold. * ACLU plans to challenge the rules in court, says they endanger migrants and betray human rights. * The administration says the immigration system can’t keep up with the number of new arrivals. SparkleSummary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed. See moreExpand content Man in Mexico dies in first known human case of H5N2 bird flu variant * The 59-year-old had other underlying health conditions but no known animal exposure. * The WHO said the risk to the general population is low but stressed global surveillance. * Four human cases of avian flu have been reported in the United States since April 1. SparkleSummary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed. See moreExpand content Renting a beach house? Here’s what travel experts say you should pack. * Pack essentials to make your rental feel like your home. * Sound machine, scented candles and throw blankets are options, and a small first aid kit can help. * Don’t forget your coffee essentials, cocktail accessories or spices you can’t do without. * Add entertainment: Bluetooth speaker, portable projector, board games. SparkleSummary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed. See moreExpand content A beaming Sheinbaum appeared in front of a cheering crowd at a Mexico City hotel. “This is a recognition by the people of Mexico of our national project,” she said. She tried to assure critics she would not use her mandate to concentrate power. “We are democrats, and by conviction, we would never establish an authoritarian or repressive government.” Her speech was interrupted with chants of “Presidenta! Presidenta!” — the feminine version of a noun that’s always been masculine. López Obrador, who is constitutionally limited to one term, is one of Latin America’s most popular leaders. But he has been criticized for concentrating power and giving the military a growing role in the economy and public security. Advertisement Story continues below advertisement Gálvez, 61, represented a coalition of traditional parties that have struggled to counter the Morena juggernaut. The election in the United States’ most populous neighbor has important implications. Mexico is the No. 1 U.S. trading partner, and key sectors of the countries’ economies — from auto manufacturing to the cultivation of berries and avocados — are intertwined. Mexico is also a crucial funnel for migrants and drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine bound for the U.S. border. In her victory speech, Sheinbaum promised to respect the business community and open Mexico to foreign investment. She said the U.S.-Mexico relationship will be based on “mutual respect and quality” and added: “We will always defend Mexicans who are on the other side of the border.” Story continues below advertisement Gálvez had accused López Obrador of weakening institutions such as the federal electoral agency and of eroding checks and balances. Advertisement On Sunday morning, José Carlos Ramírez, 60, a Mexico City lawyer, said he was voting for Gálvez. “We have to defend democracy,” he said. “I don’t want an authoritarian government.” Sheinbaum promised to expand the social programs created by López Obrador. She pledged to maintain the North American free-trade treaty when it comes up for renegotiation in 2026 but said the economic changes of recent decades have created “starvation wages.” Rogelio Librado Galicia, 45, a Mexico City engineer, voted for Sheinbaum. “I’m not saying this government doesn’t rob,” he said. “They all rob. But they’ve distributed money to the poor, unlike other parties that just steal for themselves.” Voters on Sunday also chose 500 federal deputies and 128 senators and more than 20,000 officials at the state and local levels. Morena appeared to hold on to the mayor’s office in Mexico City and the five other governors’ offices it had controlled, according to the quick count. MEXICO WILL HAVE A FEMALE PRESIDENT BEFORE THE U.S. It was long clear that Mexico would elect its first female president in this race. The lone male candidate — Jorge Álvarez Máynez, 38, from the small, center-left Citizens’ Movement party — trailed far behind with 10 percent, the quick count showed. Advertisement Story continues below advertisement Women in this traditionally macho country didn’t win the right to vote until 1953, three decades after their American counterparts. But with the adoption of gender quotas and a gender-parity law during Mexico’s transition from a one-party state to democracy, women now hold half of the seats in Congress and nearly one-third of the governorships. Share this articleShare Starting in October, one will occupy the presidency. “This will have an enormous impact,” predicted the writer Sabina Berman, a prominent feminist. “Boys and girls will now know that girls can become anything they want, depending on their talent, their efforts. And that, in a country as violent and historically machista as Mexico, is an enormous thing.” Story continues below advertisement Sheinbaum will also be Mexico’s first Jewish president. ELECTION RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT MEXICAN DEMOCRACY While two women headlined the presidential race, the most pressing issue centered on a man — López Obrador. The folksy, silver-haired president shook up Mexico with what he called the Fourth Transformation, a program aimed at helping the lower classes and protecting symbols of national pride such as oil and corn from foreign competition. Advertisement López Obrador has tripled the minimum wage, increased benefits for the elderly and vulnerable, and poured money into Mexico’s heavily indebted state oil company. In a country of vast income inequality, he won over ordinary Mexicans with visits to villages and hardscrabble neighborhoods, pressing the flesh and promising public works. Story continues below advertisement At daily news conferences, he blasted his perceived enemies — old-school politicians, journalists and critics. The percentage of Mexicans expressing confidence in the national government doubled in five years, according to Gallup, reaching 61 percent last year. That’s twice as high as in the United States. The opposition accused López Obrador of demonizing the middle class and the wealthy while re-creating the sort of imperial presidency that ruled Mexico for most of the 20th century. Of particular concern have been his efforts to diminish the power of institutions that have opposed him, including the judiciary. He has proposed replacing the Supreme Court with judges picked by popular vote. Sheinbaum has embraced the idea. Advertisement Story continues below advertisement “What’s at risk with a Morena triumph is our democracy,” said Carlos Bravo Regidor, a political analyst. Sheinbaum has dismissed such concerns. “Our project is to defend democracy, liberty and the dignity of the people,” she said in a closing rally Wednesday. HOW MEXICO’S NEXT PRESIDENT WILL WORK WITH THE U.S. Mexico’s next president will play a significant role on issues critical to Washington, such as migration and drug trafficking. López Obrador became an important ally of presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden in trying to decrease the flow of U.S.-bound migrants. Bilateral efforts on drugs have been rockier; López Obrador has scaled back cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, accusing it of violating Mexico’s sovereignty, and failed to rein in the trafficking of deadly fentanyl to the United States. Advertisement Story continues below advertisement Sheinbaum and Gálvez both pledged to maintain good relations with the United States and to prioritize the fight against violent cartels and gangs. Both candidates spoke of promoting near-shoring, the trend of companies moving production from China and other countries to Mexico to be closer to the U.S. market. But the power grid here is already overwhelmed, and international firms have accused López Obrador of discriminating against them in the generation of energy, particularly renewables. THE CARTELS’ FIGHT FOR TERRITORY THREATENS MEXICO’S STABILITY Voters’ biggest critique of López Obrador has been his failure to halt the expansion of organized crime activity. While homicides have dipped since he took office, official statistics show, crime groups are taking de facto control of more territory and economic activity. They’ve moved beyond drug trafficking to a host of other illegal enterprises, including the extortion of businesses ranging from sprawling cattle ranches to tiny tortilla shops. Advertisement More than 230 candidates, their relatives and aides were assassinated during this electoral cycle, the consulting firm Integralia has reported, as cartels have fought to install allies in mayors’ offices. The next president will face another challenge: maintaining political stability. López Obrador, a savvy political operator, has kept Morena’s competing factions in check. Sheinbaum doesn’t have the same influence in the party, which was founded as a vehicle for López Obrador’s ambitions. “Claudia is going to have this problem,” Alejandro Rojas Díaz Durán, a senator who broke recently from Morena, said before the vote Sunday. “She’s not Andrés. She is an efficient administrator, but not a political administrator like Andrés.” Lorena Ríos in Monterrey, Mexico, and Gabriela Martínez and Isabel Maney in Mexico City contributed to this report. Share 1489 Comments NewsletterAs news breaks World News Alerts Breaking news email alerts for major happenings around the world. Sign up Subscribe to comment and get the full experience. Choose your plan → Advertisement Advertisement TOP STORIES World news Essential reporting from around the world As Gaza cease-fire is debated, a vital aid route hangs in the balance In photos: The last WWII veterans mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day Gaza aid pier suffered at least $22 million in damage, Pentagon assesses back Try a different topic Sign in or create a free account to save your preferences Advertisement Advertisement Company About The Post Newsroom Policies & Standards Diversity & Inclusion Careers Media & Community Relations WP Creative Group Accessibility Statement Sitemap Get The Post Become a Subscriber Gift Subscriptions Mobile & Apps Newsletters & Alerts Washington Post Live Reprints & Permissions Post Store Books & E-Books Print Archives (Subscribers Only) Today’s Paper Public Notices Contact Us Contact the Newsroom Contact Customer Care Contact the Opinions Team Advertise Licensing & Syndication Request a Correction Send a News Tip Report a Vulnerability Terms of Use Digital Products Terms of Sale Print Products Terms of Sale Terms of Service Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Submissions & Discussion Policy RSS Terms of Service Ad Choices washingtonpost.com © 1996-2024 The Washington Post * washingtonpost.com * © 1996-2024 The Washington Post * About The Post * Contact the Newsroom * Contact Customer Care * Request a Correction * Send a News Tip * Report a Vulnerability * Download the Washington Post App * Policies & Standards * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * Cookie Settings * Print Products Terms of Sale * Digital Products Terms of Sale * Submissions & Discussion Policy * RSS Terms of Service * Ad Choices WE CARE ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY We and our 43 partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. If you click “I accept,” in addition to processing data using cookies and similar technologies for the purposes to the right, you also agree we may process the profile information you provide and your interactions with our surveys and other interactive content for personalized advertising. If you do not accept, we will process cookies and associated data for strictly necessary purposes and process non-cookie data as set forth in our Privacy Policy (consistent with law and, if applicable, other choices you have made). WE AND OUR PARTNERS PROCESS COOKIE DATA TO PROVIDE: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select content. Use limited data to select advertising. List of Partners (vendors) I Accept Reject All Show Purposes