Sheinbaum’s Huge Mandate in Mexico Comes with a Dilemma
The country’s new president will have to walk a fine line between the continuity demanded by her predecessor and supporters and the country’s inevitable need for change.
But will she remain under AMLO’s thumb?
Photographer: Hector Vivas/Getty Images South AmericaAs expected, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected Mexico’s next president.
Her resounding victory on Sunday is historic in more than one sense: She will be the first female leader in a traditionally machista country, extending hope to millions of women who still suffer everyday barriers to achieve their goals and dreams. She also obtained the largest share of votes since Mexico began having competitive elections, giving the former Mexico City mayor the strongest possible mandate. More politically symbolic, she will be in charge of defending the legacy of the man who was instrumental to her triumph: president and mentor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who leaves emboldened by his party’s 30-plus-point-difference win despite clear policy shortcomings during his administration.