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Energy Scientist Becomes Mexico's First Female President

Claudia Sheinbaum has been elected as Mexico's first woman president - in a presidential race that pitted two women against each other.


Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's new president

Ms Sheinbaum, whose Jewish maternal grandparents immigrated to Mexico from Bulgaria fleeing the Nazis, had an illustrious career as a scientist before delving into politics. Her paternal grandparents hailed from Lithuania. Both of her parents were scientists and Ms Sheinbaum studied physics before going on to receive a doctorate in energy engineering.


In 2018 she became the first female mayor of Mexico City, a post she held until 2023, when she stepped down to run for president.


Now president, Ms Sheinbaum has promised continuity, saying that she will continue to build on the "advances" made by her predecessor López Obrador, further building on the welfare programmes which have made the outgoing president very popular.


But in her victory speech she also highlighted what has set this Mexican election apart from previous ones. She told cheering voters: "For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico."


She said, it was an achievement not just for her but for all women.


The election, which pitted Ms Sheinbaum against Ms Gálvez, has been described as a sea change for women in Mexico. Edelmira Montiel, 87, said that she was grateful to be alive to see a woman elected to the top office. "Before, we couldn't even vote, and when you could, it was to vote for the person your husband told you to vote for. Thank God that has changed and I get to live it," she told Reuters news agency, referring to the fact that women were only allowed to vote in national elections in 1953.


Other recent news from Mexico: First Mexican Taco Stand to Win Michelin Star

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