Following the nominations of woman presidential candidates by both the ruling Morena Party and the opposition coalition, it is certain that Mexico will elect its first female president in the year 2024.
In the upcoming 2024 presidential elections in Mexico, the ruling Morena party has nominated Claudia Sheinbaum, the former Mayor of Mexico City, while the opposition coalition has chosen Xóchitl Gálvez, a computer engineer and businesswoman, as their candidate.
With both sides nominating woman presidential candidates, it is now confirmed that Mexico will elect its first woman president in 2024.
Morena, positioning Sheinbaum as the candidate to ensure the country’s stability, seems poised to benefit from the ongoing popularity of López Obrador and government support during the campaign.
Until recently, it appeared highly likely that Morena would secure victory in the June 2024 elections. However, the unexpected nomination of Senator Xóchitl Gálvez as the opposition’s candidate in recent months has shaken up expectations.
Whom will the working class and the youth support?
It is widely known that Gálvez, who grew up in a financially disadvantaged family, spent her childhood in the state of Hidalgo, helping her family sell street food.
In a previous interview with the AP, Gálvez mentioned that her father was an alcoholic teacher with troublesome habits.
After earning a scholarship for computer engineering, Gálvez relocated to Mexico City. Following her graduation, she went on to establish a technology company and successfully secured government contracts.
Gálvez is frequently spotted wearing traditional attire and speaking the language of the people while riding her bicycle through the streets of Mexico City. Her down-to-earth demeanor and jovial personality have endeared her to both the working class and the younger generation in Mexico.
Despite Gálvez’s popularity, it’s widely acknowledged that Sheinbaum has a stronger chance in the upcoming elections.
Gálvez’s Challenge
Meanwhile, it’s still uncertain whether Gálvez can translate the media attention she receives into nationwide electoral support. Romero Rocha noted, “Our most recent data indicate that 48% of the population still doesn’t recognize her.”
Running as the candidate of Mexico’s traditional parties, Gálvez is susceptible to criticism that she represents the aristocracy. However, despite her years in politics, she has never been implicated in a corruption scandal, even during her tenure as the Mayor of Mexico City before becoming a senator.
Ramírez emphasized, “For Gálvez to succeed, she needs to maintain party support while positioning herself as an outsider, a figure from civil society. Striking this balance will be highly sensitive.”
Despite representing the conservative PAN party as a senator, Gálvez supports progressive policies on issues such as the environment, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights.
While this stance might risk alienating conservative voters, the opposition, which has suffered defeat after defeat in elections since López Obrador’s resounding victory in 2018, is pinning its hopes on Gálvez to defeat Morena.
Source: Guardian, BBC Turkish