Mexico - June 2024

On 2 June, more than 20,000 public officials were chosen in general elections (including members of federal and local legislatures, governors, mayors and council members). Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo was elected as Mexico’s first woman president, with 59.4 per cent of votes. Sheinbaum ran as candidate for the “Sigamos Haciendo Historia” coalition, which includes the ruling party, Morena. Voter turnout was 60.9 per cent (a slight decrease from the previous general election). Gender-parity in candidacies and in access to political participation is protected in the constitution. In 2019, “Parity in everything” was adopted as a permanent principle for all branches of government. Gender parity is expected in the elected membership of both chambers of Congress.

In Congress, the Morena party and allies obtained a clear advantage over other political parties and are expected to attain a supermajority that could facilitate the adoption of constitutional reforms. International observers, including the Organization of American States, acknowledged that the elections had taken place without significant incidents, but expressed concern over the levels of political violence, and the impact of such violence in deterring citizen participation. 

Sources: Instituto Nacional Electoral, OAS, Milenio, Gobierno de Mexico

On 8 June, a ban of so-called conversion therapies regarding sexual orientation and gender identity entered into force. The changes to the Federal Criminal Code and the General Health Law entail the criminalization of any kind of treatment or therapy intended to supress or annul a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Such conduct is punished with imprisonment of between two and six years, while aggravating circumstances are considered when treatments are used against children, older persons or persons with disabilities.

Sources: Infobae, El Pais

On 2 June, voters elected Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, of the “Seguimos Haciendo Historia” coalition. Sheinbaum’s election follows a series of ground-breaking legal and constitutional amendments to transition from a gender-quotas system to “parity in everything” as a permanent and guiding principle for all branches of government. During the 2024 general elections, this principle was applied to the designation of candidacies, such as congress members and gubernatorial races. In both chambers of Congress, women’s representation is expected to be 50 per cent.

Security, on the other hand, was a persistent challenge during the electoral process, which according to analysts was the most violent in Mexico’s history. Dozens of candidates, aspiring candidates, politicians and aides were killed, and many more were subjected to intimidation. In several states, such as the southern state of Chiapas, hundreds of candidates withdrew from races, citing security concerns.

Sources: Instituto Nacional Electoral, El Pais, CNN, Infobae