Mexico Swears in Its First Female President, Claudia Sheinbaum

President Claudia Sheinbaum holding the baton of command of the indigenous communities as she waves out to a crowd of supporters(AP Photo/Fernando Llano).

The inauguration of North America’s first female head of state, Claudia Sheinbaum occurred this past Tuesday, Oct. 4 in Mexico City. Mexico’s symbolic red, white, and green presidential sash was placed over the shoulders of Claudia Sheinbaum and the congress floor erupted in cheers. “Presidenta! Presidenta! Presidenta!” Chants were heard on the congress floor and echoed through the city with excitement for the next chapter of Mexican politics. 

The opening ceremony was led by female representatives of 70 indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities, with the President being the last to walk onto the stage and the only one to receive the baton of command of the indigenous people. This symbolic moment represents the guarantee of full rights to all communities under Mexican law, and a political and spiritual authority being handed to the new president. 

The ceremony was followed by Claudia Sehinbaum’s first speech as President. Sheinbaum started by praising her political mentor and predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, whom she referred to as "the most important political leader and social warrior in Mexico's modern history." She acknowledged his profound impact, noting that he leaves office with "the greatest love of his people," a sentiment underscored by his high popularity ratings, over 60% approval, at his term's conclusion.

López Obrador, in his final morning press conference, expressed his satisfaction with Sheinbaum, highlighting her character by stating that anyone less gracious in her position would have denied him. Sheinbaum recognizes the significant legacy he leaves behind, but confidently stated, "It is time for women," earning applause from lawmakers of her governing party. She emphasized how monumental this election was for women in Mexico and all across the world, saying, “This marks the arrival of all those who dreamed of the possibility that, one day, it wouldn’t matter if we were born a woman or man, that we could realize our dreams and desires, without our sex determining our destiny!” 

President Sheinbaum standing with her predecessor President López Obrador in congress as she addresses the nation in her first speech (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

As she outlined her agenda, Sheinbaum emphasized that her predecessor’s vision was a foundational blueprint for her presidency. She commended his achievements over the past six years, and asked rhetorically, “How were 9.5 million Mexicans pulled from poverty? How was unemployment reduced? Greater well-being created? The minimum wage repeatedly increased, but not inflation?” Her answer was that it was all possible through what she coined "Mexican humanism," a political project she has developed alongside López Obrador for nearly two decades. Mexican humanism was described by Mexico’s foreign secretary Bárcena as, "The construction of a just, egalitarian and fraternal society; a moral economy that ensures an equitable income distribution and respect for the environment." 

While the inaugural ceremony and speech were inspiring, elevating Mexico’s rich history, diversity, and hopeful future, it is crucial to note that Sheinbaum is inheriting a country with major challenges ahead. Specifically, the government deficit and the drug war in the Sinaloa and Chiapas regions. The future of Mexico’s political system itself is incalculable, as President López Obrador's approach to policies and governance resulted in a concentration of power in the presidency and military. Morena, his political party, became so powerful that comparisons are being drawn to the one-party system seen in 20th century Mexico. In Obrador's final week as president, he made a constitutional amendment that will drastically change the judiciary system, now allowing for the election of judges—most importantly Supreme Court judges. While Sheinbaum claims she and her government are democrats, with an opposition of diminishing power, many fear her policies will likely face less friction and checks of power.