Overview

Campaigning formally begins Friday for Mexico's largest election in history. This upcoming election will impact the selection of the country's president, winners of 628 seats in Congress, and tens of thousands of local positions. Notably, Mexico, known for its "macho" culture, is poised to elect its first female president. Other key factors at play in this significant election include cartel violence, President López Obrador's political influence, and the nation's complex relationship with the United States.

Election Details

Date and Voting Process

Before the official start of campaigning, parties had already chosen their candidates for the presidential, congressional, and municipal races. On June 2, millions of Mexican voters will head to the polls to cast their votes for new leaders. The presidential winner will serve a five-year term. In addition to the presidential race, citizens will also vote for 128 senators, 500 congressional representatives, and numerous local government roles.

Candidates Overview

Currently leading in the polls is Claudia Sheinbaum, boasting approximately 59% of voter support as of February. Sheinbaum, a former mayor of Mexico City, aligns with the populist leftist ideals of President López Obrador and is affiliated with his Morena party. Following close behind is Senator Xóchitl Gálvez, who holds around 36% voter approval. Gálvez stands as a vocal critic of López Obrador and is running under the Strength and Heart for Mexico coalition. Lagging in popularity is Jorge Álvarez Máynez of the Citizen Movement party.

Stay tuned as Mexico prepares for a historic election that will shape the nation's future trajectory. Unpacking the Risks in Mexico's Upcoming Elections

In the shadow of cartel violence that looms over various regions of the country, concerns have been escalating about a security crisis that has worsened during López Obrador's tenure.

Even before the official start of the election season, several candidates fell victim to violence in the first two months of the year. Experts are now cautioning that this year's elections could potentially mark Mexico's bloodiest on record.

While critics argue that democratic principles are at stake in the upcoming election, leading to massive protests against electoral reforms implemented by López Obrador in February, the President still enjoys widespread popularity among Mexico's working class - his core support base. Faced with soaring inflation rates, these voters are inclined to support a candidate they believe will genuinely champion their cause, with many seeing López Obrador and his Morena party as just that.

Exploring the Possibility of a Female President in Mexico

The prospect of a female president taking office in Mexico would represent a significant milestone for a nation grappling with alarming levels of gender-based violence and stark gender inequalities.

Despite making strides in terms of women holding influential positions in public life - partly due to mandated representation quotas for public office - Mexico continues to struggle with pervasive "machismo" attitudes that manifest themselves not only in the form of femicides, but also in countless more subtle manifestations on a daily basis.

Even as Mexican women make inroads into the political sphere, they continue to endure disproportionately high levels of gender-based violence. The issue of femicide, where women are targeted and murdered simply because of their gender, remains an enduring and tragic challenge that the country has been facing for decades.