Mexican elections | Women, it’s your turn

(Mexico City) “Hoy, es tiempo de las mujeres!” » Their names are Claudia, Xochitl, Hannah, Clara, Circe, and they have all decided to try their luck in the elections of June 2, the most important in Mexican history, where positions of president, mayor, governor of State and member of the Houses of Representatives are to be filled. At the end of this election, a woman will likely take the reins of the country, a first.

“ [Il s’agira] of the first woman elected in North America and it’s happening in Mexico. Who could have said that? », spontaneously says in an interview Stéphanie Allard Gomez, general delegate of Quebec in Mexico since 2017.

In Canada, there was indeed Kim Campbell. But she took the helm of the Progressive Conservative Party (PCC) following the departure of Brian Mulroney. It did not pass the election test.

Mexico, where there is still an ambient machismo and where women’s safety remains an issue, will nevertheless be the first of the three friends to accomplish this feat, notes Lizbeth Ortiz Acevedo, Mexican journalist and self-proclaimed feminist.

Of the three candidates running in the June 2 presidential election, two are women: on the left, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, and on the center right, Xochitl Galvez Ruiz. They are in the lead in voting intentions, far ahead of their male opponent, Jorge Alvarez Maynez.

“A country for Mexicans”

“La Républica para las mujeres de México!” » “A country for Mexican women. » Claudia Sheinbaum shouts this sentence loud and clear during her numerous speeches. And this message attracts women, many of whom come to support the one who is favorite in the polls, often with their children, at various gatherings.

The small neighborhood of Xochimilco, famous for its colorful gondolas that float on canals, vibrates on this Monday evening at the end of April to the rhythms of salsa and partisan songs. A huge banner wishes “la bienvenida” to Claudia Sheinbaum, former mayor of Mexico City and candidate put forward by current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Obdulia Flores, like thousands of people, went to the center of Xochimilco to hear the candidate of the coalition of the Morena Party, the Ecological Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) and the Labor Party (PT).

“We need change to advance the cause of women,” remarks Obdulia Flores, accompanied by her granddaughter and other members of her family.

Not far from there, sellers wander around with key rings representing M^me Sheinbaum and Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Irena, 25, also has high hopes. “She’s going to win,” she says confidently while her daughter plays on the ground. Now it’s the women’s turn. »

Men are present, too. Like Abraham Garcia, who does not hide his enthusiasm. “I find it wonderful that a woman can launch a campaign to become president of Mexico after all these decades with men in power. I think women are more open than men. That’s why I’m with her 100%. Machismo is retrograde,” he adds.

To conquer her audience, largely female, the one that everyone affectionately calls Claudia knows how to say the right words. “For the first time, we are going to recognize the work of Mexican women,” she says into the microphone.

She takes advantage of her platform to invite voters to support the trio of three “Cs”: Circe Camacho (candidate to represent the district of Xochimilco), Clara Brugada (candidate for mayor of Mexico City) and herself, Claudia Sheinbaum, aspiring to the presidency.

In all forums, she reiterates this flagship commitment: to pay a pension to citizens aged 60 to 64 for unpaid work carried out at home for years.

“A safe Mexico for women!” »

In the numerous public appearances where she often arrives on a bicycle, pink helmet screwed on her head, and in her speeches and daily videos on Instagram, Xochitl Galvez Ruiz, candidate of the coalition bringing together the National Action Party (PAN), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), also presents itself as a defender of women.

The most recent polls place her second. “Women are afraid to go out into the street and never come back home, afraid of being subjected to violence,” says the woman who revealed that she was a victim of abuse as a child. We must conclude a pact with men within which we will respect each other. »

The ex-senator, who headed the Commission on Indigenous Peoples in the former Vicente Fox government, intends to issue the “Mexican Card” to help economically vulnerable women. They would thus receive 5,000 pesos per month (around $405).

Real progress?

Journalist Lizbeth Ortiz Acevedo can only applaud the idea of ​​seeing a woman ascend to the highest office in the country.

“Until recently, it was impossible to imagine being governed by a woman due to a power characterized by machismo and patriarchy. But women have always been in politics, even at the time of independence. And now, without a doubt, we will break the glass ceiling. »

The one who speaks out on different platforms in Mexico is, however, critical of the two candidates. “It is not because we have two presidential candidates that they have a feminist program aimed at improving women’s rights,” she analyzes.

“Obviously, they made certain commitments regarding women because it is necessary for their campaign, to get votes. But they do not have a perspective that goes in the direction of a real feminist movement. »

According to her, Claudia Sheinbaum will follow in the footsteps of the current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. “He showed us that the cause of women was not his priority, it does not interest him. »

Xochitl Galvez, for his part, “has alliances with the right of this country, with members of the PRI, the PAN, parties which, historically, have not favored women. Can she really break away from these party lines? I think it will be impossible.”

Real changes will happen in all spheres of society, but not necessarily through political power, argues M^me Ortiz Acevedo.

The symbol of a woman in power still remains strong for many Mexicans, believes M^me Ortiz Acevedo. “What’s happening right now is taking them by surprise. They don’t understand what’s going on and they aren’t aware of the privileges they have. »

So machismo hasn’t disappeared? “No,” she replies without hesitation, holding back a giggle.

In numbers

20,000

Number of local and national elected positions to be filled in the June 2 elections. A record.

100 million

Number of voters registered for the June 2 poll, including 51.3% women.

6 years

Duration of a presidential term in Mexico. This is non-renewable.

130 million

Population in number of inhabitants

28

Number of candidates assassinated since the start of the electoral campaign

2.7%

Unemployment rate (March 2024)

US$23,654

GDP per capita (2022)

1953

Year women gained the right to vote

Sources: Mexican government and Laboratorio Electoral