Mexico is about to elect its first female president. Her job: save the nation
MEXICO CITY—Claudia Sheinbaum, a Jewish woman with a Ph.D. in energy engineering, is expected to become the first female president of Mexico, a historic ascent in a largely Catholic country. Sheinbaum’s commanding lead in polls ahead of Sunday’s election is rooted in her endorsement by Mexico’s popular nationalist leader, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who shepherded Sheinbaum’s career over the past two decades.
She has given him years of unflinching loyalty in return. At a symbolic and widely heralded event at a Mexico City restaurant last year, Sheinbaum accepted an eagle-headed ceremonial baton of command from López Obrador at a gathering of his ruling party, Movement of National Regeneration. It was a gesture to Mexico’s indigenous culture—and to voters—by a president whose approval ratings have never fallen below 60%.
“He gave me the baton, and the authority as well," the 61-year-old Sheinbaum said during a recent TV appearance. Sheinbaum, who as former mayor of Mexico City was known for her reserved and disciplined manner, proclaims at every campaign stop that her administration will be a continuation of López Obrador’s. She echoes her mentor’s message that the government should keep a tight grip on the energy industry and guide the economy for the benefit of the poor.
Former and current Mexican officials and diplomats expect that a Sheinbaum administration would differ in style from López Obrador’s but not in substance. “There is no daylight between them," said Jorge Castañeda, a former Mexican foreign minister. Sheinbaum occasionally signals she will be independent of her popular mentor.
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