Mexico’s ruling party, the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), has nominated Claudia Sheinbaum, former Mayor of Mexico City and a close associate of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, as its candidate for the 2024 presidential election. This historic move positions Sheinbaum to potentially become Mexico’s first female president. She clinched victory in five nationwide polls conducted by MORENA, securing an average of approximately 39% of the vote, surpassing five other contenders.
Nonetheless, Sheinbaum’s chief rival, former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, expressed concerns about irregularities in the selection process and called for a reevaluation of the vote. Ebrard garnered just over a quarter of the votes in the MORENA polling. He did not rule out the possibility of aligning with the center-left Citizens’ Movement (MC), the only major opposition party yet to announce a presidential candidate. MORENA leaders defended the integrity of the selection process, affirming that no incident definitively impacted the final outcome.
Presently, public opinion polls lean towards MORENA for the June 2024 presidential election. Lopez Obrador emphasized the imperative of party cohesion in the run-up to the election. Sheinbaum echoed this sentiment in her victory address, stressing the importance of unity and assuring that doors will always remain open.
In a parallel development, Xochitl Galvez, a dynamic Indigenous senator who overcame adversity to become a successful entrepreneur, has been selected as the candidate for the primary opposition alliance.
Sheinbaum, a distinguished physicist and environmentalist, has committed to consolidating Lopez Obrador’s political legacy and aligning herself with his support base. She is anticipated to prioritize the expansion of renewable energy utilization, a focus that has been somewhat overshadowed by the president’s endeavors to revitalize the state oil company, Pemex. Known for her consensus-building approach, Sheinbaum brings a distinctive style to the political arena in contrast to the more confrontational approach of Lopez Obrador. Her victory constitutes a noteworthy milestone for women in Mexican politics.
