Claudia Sheinbaum, known as “la Doctora” for her academic achievements, has made history by becoming the first woman and the first Jewish person elected as President of Mexico. She won approximately 60% of the vote in the largest election in Mexico’s history, succeeding President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, her longtime ally. Sheinbaum, a physicist with a doctorate in energy engineering, has a notable background, including being part of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning United Nations climate panel.
Born in Mexico City in 1962 to Holocaust survivor grandparents, Sheinbaum has a long history of public service and academic excellence. She studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the University of California, Berkeley, before entering politics in 2000 as Mexico City’s environment secretary. She later served as the head of the Tlalpan district and then as the mayor of Mexico City.
Sheinbaum faces significant challenges, including addressing Mexico’s high homicide and femicide rates and organized crime. Her approach is expected to differ from Obrador’s, focusing more on data-driven decisions. The transition in leadership also comes at a critical time for US-Mexico relations, particularly concerning immigration and border security.
Sheinbaum’s election marks a significant cultural shift in Mexico, a predominantly Catholic country with a patriarchal society. Her administration will need to balance continuity with Obrador’s policies and introduce her own initiatives to address the country’s pressing issues.
