Leftist Claudia Sheinbaum Becomes Mexico’s First Female President

Climate Scientist and former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum was elected Mexico’s first female president on Sunday.

The Details: Sheinbaum, of the leftist Morena party, is widely considered the successor to outgoing President Andres Manuel López Obrador and won nearly 60% of the vote. The Morena party is also expected to hold majorities in both chambers of Congress.

For Context: Mexico’s election was particularly violent, with over 38 candidates being murdered during the campaign. One of the biggest issues plaguing Mexico is cartel violence, which López Obrador aimed to combat via social programs, though his efforts were widely deemed ineffective. Sheinbaum will also be the first person from a Jewish background to lead Mexico.

Key Quotes: “I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” said Sheinbaum, later adding, “We have demonstrated that Mexico is a democratic country with peaceful elections." Fernando Fernández, a 28-year-old chef interviewed by Associated Press (Lean Left bias), said, “You vote for Claudia out of conviction, for AMLO.” He said he hoped Sheinbaum could “improve what AMLO couldn’t… the price of gasoline, crime and drug trafficking, which he didn’t combat even though he had the power.”

How The Media Covered It: Reuters (Center bias) called Sheinbaum’s victory “a major step for Mexico, a country known for its macho culture and home to the world's second biggest Roman Catholic population.” The Telegraph (Lean Right bias) was overall more critical of López Obrador, noting his “autocratic tendencies” and “controversial ‘hugs not bullets’ policy.”