Mexican cast their ballots on Sunday in a presidential election that was dominated by two women, marking a legendary first for a nation that has historically experienced gender-based violence and discrimination.
On the day of the election, governing party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City and a trained climate scientist, had a 17 percent point lead over her main rival Xochitl Galvez, a tech entrepreneur running a coalition of opposition parties. As a particularly harsh plan time drew to a close with a number of prospect murders, moderate Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the only candidate in the race, was trailing significantly behind. In Mexico, where about 10 women or girls are murdered every day, a person is almost certain to tear the highest social glass ceiling, barring a major surprise.
The competition highlights the significant advancements made in Mexican politics in recent years by women, who were not even permitted to cast ballot until 1953. Both of the major candidates have significant experience: Sheinbaum and Galvez were both senators in the nation’s largest cities.
Yet much of race has focused on a figure who is n’t on the ballot, but looms large: the powerful current president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. While widely popular, Lopez Obrador has been a polarising number, eliciting admiration from die- difficult fans and negativity from critics. His administration expanded military responsibilities and pursued measures that were widely anticipated would undermine political institutions while using cash exchange programs to help millions of people out of poverty.
His supremacy upended creation politics, prompting three events, from the right, heart and left, to form an uncomfortable coalition that is now backing Galvez. Sheinbaum has primarily appealed to citizens by promising to carry on his reputation. Galvez has cast herself as an alternative for those angry with Lopez Obrador’s management, vowing to change some of his plans.
Whoever wins will face tough challenges: Frequent cartel violence, along with Mexico’s mediocre financial performance, are the major issues. Nearly 100 million people have registered to cast ballots. In the biggest polls the country has seen, voters will elect governors in nine of the nation’s 32 states, elect candidates for both houses of Congress, thousands of mayorships, and other local positions.
( With inputs from NYT, AFP, AP )
