Mexico has its first female president in history. This is Claudia Sheinbaum, the heir to the policies of her predecessor Manuel Lopez Obrador. She already ruled Mexico City, which is one of the world's largest metropolises. Now, however, she will have to face much greater challenges. Including powerful and brutal drug cartels.
For the first time in 200 years, since Mexico gained independence, members of congress used the feminine form, because since then Mexico has had a female president. – I am a mother, grandmother, scientist, woman of faith and from today, by the will of the Mexican people, the constitutional president of the United Mexican States – said Claudia Sheinbaum.
The 62-year-old scientist and former mayor of Mexico City will serve for six years – until 2030. Claudia Sheinbaum took the oath in the presence of guests from all over the world – presidents, prime ministers, as well as the American first lady Jill Biden. – As soon as I landed, I felt this excitement that I was going to see the inauguration of Mexico's first female president. As she herself said, “I did not reach this historic moment alone: She said, 'We reached here together, with our ancestors, mothers, daughters, granddaughters,'” emphasized the US First Lady.
READ MORE: During the campaign, she got married and became a grandmother. Who is the new president of Mexico?
Sheinbaum, after the official inauguration, symbolically took over the baton of power from the indigenous women of the country. She is an immigrant herself – her father came to Mexico from Lithuania in the 1820s. Her mother fled persecution in Bulgaria in the 1840s.
In her speech, she pledged to keep Mexico on the path to achieving the status of a safe country for foreign investment, where human rights are respected and women's rights are strengthened, which – in a country with a strongly rooted macho culture – requires work from the very beginning. – The law will state that the aggressor will have to leave the house, so that it is the aggressor who has to escape, not the woman and children – assured Claudia Sheinbaum.
Ceremony of handing over the baton of command by the indigenous women of the countryPAP/EPA/ISAAC ESQUIVEL
Challenges facing the new president
Commentators emphasize that the new president faces very serious challenges: trying to cope with high rates of brutal crime related to drug cartels and the largest budget deficit in over 40 years. Sheinbaum already has extensive experience – she was the first woman in history to lead a city of almost 9 million people. Before entering politics, she earned a PhD in energy engineering and served on the UN panel of climate scientists.
In the June elections, she outclassed her rivals – 60 percent of voters supported her. – We have taken an important step to get closer to the Mexico we want. A free Mexico, a Mexico for the elderly, women, people with disabilities and gays. For everyone, says Marcos Alejandro, a voter of Claudia Sheinbaum.
The most important politician in Mexico ran for office as part of a coalition of left-wing parties – Together We Make History. Before being sworn in, she was asked about a scenario in which the position of president in a neighboring country – the United States – would also be entrusted to a woman.
– Of course, as women, we are always happy when women run for office, but in this case we must behave very responsibly and that is what our constitution says. We will support whoever the citizens of the United States choose, said the president of Mexico. Donald Trump's return to the White House could be quite a challenge for her. The former president, contrary to existing agreements, announces the imposition of 100 percent tariffs on vehicles manufactured in Mexico. The campaign also promises mass deportations of this country's citizens.
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Main photo source: PAP/EPA/ISAAC ESQUIVEL