Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that she will resign to run for the ruling party’s 2024 presidential nomination and become the country’s first female leader.
On Sunday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s Marxist National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) agreed to disclose its internal selection winner on Sept. 6. Sheinbaum is one of two favorites.
Lopez Obrador’s popularity makes MORENA the favorite to win the June 2024 presidential election.
Mexican presidents are limited to one six-year term. Lopez Obrador’s confidants told Reuters he wants Sheinbaum to succeed him. He denies favoritism.
Sheinbaum, 60, said she will continue Lopez Obrador’s “transformation” of Mexico with her “own stamp” at a press conference on Monday.”
“I have made the decision to leave the post definitively on June 16, with the goal of becoming the first woman in the history of Mexico to lead the fate of the nation,” she added.
Weekend MORENA leadership agreed that contenders should step down this week to compete.
Marcelo Ebrard, who resigned as foreign minister on Monday to run, trails Sheinbaum in most polls.
Sheinbaum noted that polling had put her ahead and was confident it would continue.
Five public polls will choose MORENA’s president.
Sheinbaum also highlighted last month’s national statistics agency report showing that almost two-thirds of Mexicans strongly supported a female president.
“It’s time for women,” she remarked.
Ebrard suggested prospective candidates resign to level the playing field. Another possibility, Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez, will quit.
After resigning, Ebrard told reporters his first goal was security, public healthcare, and education.
Due to economic tensions between China and the US, he said Mexico has a “golden opportunity” to quadruple “or more” economic development.
Comment Template