Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico’s First Female President Inauguration

Claudia Sheinbaum has officially been inaugurated as Mexico’s first female president, succeeding former president López Obrador. As she begins her term, which will last until 2030, her party enjoys a supermajority in Congress, facilitating the approval of reforms. Experts are now questioning the extent to which she will continue López Obrador’s policies.

Sheinbaum received the presidential sash from Ifigenia Martínez, a prominent leftist figure and current President of the Chamber of Deputies Directive Board. The official ceremony was attended by 105 international representatives, including presidents, vice presidents, and diplomats. In her inaugural speech, Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s transformation would continue and highlighted that now is time for women, noting that all 65 presidents since the independence have been male. “I am a mother, grandmother, scientist, and woman of faith. Starting today, by the will of the people of Mexico, I am the constitutional president of the United Mexican States. I will govern for everyone, and you can be assured that I will dedicate my knowledge, my strength, my history, and my life to the service of the people and the nation,” stated Sheinbaum.

During her tenure as Mexico City mayor, Sheinbaum earned a reputation for data-driven leadership, successfully halving the city’s murder rate by increasing funding for a larger police force with higher salaries—a strategy she plans to replicate nationwide. Sheinbaum has also pledged to continue the social programs initiated by López Obrador, including pensions and youth scholarships. However, questions have arisen regarding the feasibility of these commitments. In November, Sheinbaum is expected to present her government’s first budget plan, which will likely reveal how she plans to address the fiscal deficit while maintaining welfare programs and costly crime-fighting initiatives. 

With experience on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and having shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice President Al Gore in 2007 for her climate initiatives, Sheinbaum seeks to balance environmental priorities. At the same time, she has also expressed her intention to protect state-owned oil and power companies PEMEX and CFE.

While Sheinbaum has pledged that Mexico’s growth will continue, she faces significant challenges, including crime rates and last-minute initiatives from López Obrador, such as the judicial reform, along with changes to the National Guard and adjustments within INE. Additionally, she will need to navigate the evolving relationship with the new US president, who will be elected on Nov. 5.