Candidates for the Mexican Presidential Election officially ended their campaigns on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Most polls show the ruling party’s candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, on track to become the country’s first female president after the national vote on June 2, 2024. Latin America’s second largest economy will hold its largest elections ever, with more than 20,000 local, state and federal government positions up for vote and nearly 100 million Mexicans eligible to vote. In the 2018 presidential race, 63% of eligible voters cast their ballots.[1]
In addition to the presidency, voters will elect lawmakers for both houses of Congress, the new mayor of the capital, eight state governors and many local officials. Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City, ended his campaign on Wednesday afternoon in the capital’s bustling Zocalo Square with his party’s Mexico City mayoral candidate Clara Brugada.
Candidate Claudia Sheinbaum seems to have increased her significant lead over her main rival in the presidential race. A May 29, 2024 opinion poll confirms this. The poll, conducted between May 22-27, 2024 by the polling firm Parametria, shows Sheinbaum with 50% support, ahead of the 34% support of Xochitl Galvez, the candidate of the three-party opposition alliance. A previous poll conducted by the same firm in April showed Sheinbaum with 44% support and Galvez with 31%. Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the candidate of the opposition center-left Citizens’ Movement (MC) party, received 13% support, a five-point increase from April. The face-to-face poll was conducted among 1,000 respondents and has a margin of error of 3.1%.[2]
The vast majority of polls in Mexico predict that Sheinbaum will comfortably win the election on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Sheinbaum has long been a close ally of current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and has the potential to become the country’s first female president. Sheinbaum’s victory could bring significant changes to Mexican politics and society. Her background as a scientist could lead her to adopt a more data-driven and analytical approach to policymaking.
He is also a long-term ally of Lopez Obrador, which could ensure the continuity of the current government’s policies. However, Sheinbaum’s own governing style and priorities will also become evident. For example, he is expected to be more proactive and innovative on issues such as environmental policies and investments in education and scientific research. As an energy engineer, former environment minister and a candidate who has written dozens of articles on environment-development issues, Sheinbaum’s policies are likely to be active in these areas.
Sheinbaum’s election would also be an important step towards gender equality in Mexico. Asp the country’s first female president, she can develop stronger policies on women’s rights and gender equality. This could strengthen the role of women in Mexican society and contribute to reshaping gender norms.
Xochitl Galvez, the joint opposition candidate, ended his campaign in Monterrey, Mexico’s northern industrial heartland. Galvez had organized a large rally in the capital days earlier. In her speech, the former senator and businesswoman promised to improve and expand social programs and fight the widespread violence caused by organized crime. At her event in the town of Los Reyes Acaquilpan, Galvez stated that the people want peace and tranquility and harshly criticized the current administration.
Galvez is 17 points behind Sheinbaum in the Oraculus poll-mean compiled by local polling firm Buendia & Marquez.[3]
The assassination of Alfredo Cabrera, a local mayoral candidate of the opposition, in the last days of the campaign points to the existence of unresolved problems in Mexican democracy.[4]
The winning candidate will have to bear in mind that he or she will win the Mexican government, which is part of Latin America’s shaky democratic life.
The election results will have a major impact on Mexico’s democratic processes and social peace. The capacity of the winning candidate to deal with the country’s challenges is crucial.
The president needs to tackle problems such as high crime rates, corruption and economic inequality. Therefore, the elected leader’s ability to bring effective solutions to these problems. will be decisive for the future of the country. In addition, the candidate’s commitment to democratic values and to protecting human rights will attract the attention of the international community.
In conclusion, Mexico’s democratic future will be shaped by the policies and actions of the elected leader. A leader who pursues effective policies on issues such as security, economic development, justice and human rights will strengthen Mexico’s democratic structure and lead the country towards a more stable future.
[1] “Mexico’s presidential hopefuls wrap up campaigns ahead of Sunday’s election”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexicos-presidential-hopefuls-wrap-up-campaigns-ahead-historic-election-2024-05-29/, (Access Date: 31.05.2024).
[2] “Mexico presidency frontrunner Sheinbaum slightly widens lead, poll shows”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-presidency-frontrunner-sheinbaum-slightly-widens-lead-poll-shows-2024-05-29/, (Access Date: 31.05.2024).
[3] “Mexico’s presidential hopefuls wrap up campaigns ahead of Sunday’s election”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexicos-presidential-hopefuls-wrap-up-campaigns-ahead-historic-election-2024-05-29/, (Access Date: 31.05.2024).
[4] “Deadly end to Mexico campaign as local candidate shot”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clee1pq2jdjo,(Access Date: 31.05.2024).
