Mexico elects first female president with Claudia Sheinbaum as projected winner
NBCMay 26
Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum Elected First Woman President
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Above: Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum of ''Sigamos Haciendo Historia'' coalition gives a speech at the Hilton Hotel on June 03, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. Image copyright: Hector Vivas/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
According to official preliminary results, Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico's first-ever female president. She will replace her mentor, the outgoing Pres. Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Her two rivals, Xóchitl Gálvez and Jorge Álvarez Máynez, have reportedly conceded defeat after the National Electoral Institute announced Sheinbaum had received between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote.
The Spin
Narrative A
Despite accusations of having a male-dominated culture and negative biases against female leaders, Mexico has become the first North American country to elect a woman as head of government — and her closest rival was a woman as well. This is a clear culmination of a gender parity framework that has been in place for decades in the country.
Narrative B
It's all too convenient to praise gender parity policies for this outcome when Sheinbaum is, in fact, just another female protégé appointed by a populist Latin American leader who can't run for re-election. Given that this story is reminiscent of Dilma Rousseff's rise in Brazil, one can only hope for better luck for Mexico.
