Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected by a landslide win on Sunday, June 2, according to preliminary official results, making
Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum was elected by a landslide win on Sunday, June 2, according to preliminary official results, making history in a country plagued by rampant criminal and gender-based violence.
Crowds of flag waving supporters celebrated in Mexico City’s main square, singing and dancing to mariachi music in honor of the ruling party candidate’s victory.
The 61 year old former Mexico City mayor, a scientist by training, won approximately 58-60 percent of the votes, the Mexican National Electoral Institute announced after a quick count.
Sheinbaum’s victory placed her more than 30 percentage points ahead of her main opposition rival, Xochitl Galvez, and about 50 percentage points ahead of the only male candidate, long-shot centrist Jorge Alvarez Maynez.
Despite sporadic violence in areas terrorized by ultra-violent drug cartels, voters flocked to polling stations across the Latin American nation.
Thousands of troops were deployed to protect voters during a particularly bloody electoral process that saw more than two dozen aspiring local politicians murdered.
Earlier, Sheinbaum hailed what she called a historic election day.
After casting her ballot, she revealed she had not voted for herself but for a 93-year-old veteran leftist, Ifigenia Martinez, in recognition of her struggle.
Long live democracy, Sheinbaum declared.
After the polls closed, Galvez urged her followers to closely monitor the count.
“We are competing against authoritarianism and power and they are capable of anything,” said the senator and businesswoman with Indigenous roots.
Mexican women going to the polls had cheered the prospect of a woman breaking the highest political glass ceiling in a country where around 10 women or girls are murdered every day.
“A female president will be a transformation for this country, and we hope that she does more for women,” said Clemencia Hernandez, a 55-year-old cleaner in Mexico City.
“Many women are subjugated by their partners. They’re not allowed to leave home to work.” she said.
Claudia Sheinbaum vowed on Monday, June 3, that she would not let Mexico down after being elected its first woman president.
“I won’t fail you,” the ruling party candidate said after preliminary official results showed her with around 58-60 per cent of votes.
