Mexico has two leading candidates for the presidential elections to be held in June 2024. Both are women. Claudia Sheinbaum is from the ruling Morena party and Xochitl Galvez is from the opposition coalition.
Sheinbaum is a scientist. She has a PhD in energy engineering and is the author of two books and over one hundred articles on the subjects of energy, environment and sustainable development. She is from a family of scientists. Her father is a chemical engineer, mother a biologist and brother a physicist. She has proved her competence in governance as mayor of Mexico city and as secretary of the environment in the federal government.
Galvez is an engineer and entrepreneur. She has a degree in computer engineering and has founded two tech firms. She is a senator and was head of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples during the administration of Vicente Fox (2000–2006). Ideologically, she is a free-spirited independent with a mix of conservative and progressive policies.
Galvez is an indigenous Mexican from a poor family. She used to sell tamales in the streets as a kid. Her father was an Indigenous Otomi schoolteacher. She learned to speak her native ñähñu language as a child. She rides E-bikes in Mexican streets wearing the loose embroidered indigenous blouse known as a huipil. Galvez has a sense of humour and enjoys engaging with the public.
According to opinion polls, Sheinbaum has better chances than Galvez.
Both the Mexican candidates are mature, cultured and competent. They talk sense, use proper language and respect opponents. Both the candidates have similar agenda such as poverty alleviation, employment, women’s empowerment, clean energy and sustainable development.
The Mexican choice is agreeable and pleasant in contrast to the ugly choice faced by the Gringos between the obnoxious Donald Trump and the senile Joe Biden. The Mexican political discourse is serious, polite and civilized unlike the American campaign smeared with lies, hate speech and fake news.
The author is an expert in Latin American affairs
