Claudia Sheinbaum Celebrates 100 Days as Mexico’s President with High Approval Rating
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum marked her 100th day in office on Thursday, January 26, with a high approval rating, according to a recent poll. The survey, conducted by El Financiero, gives Sheinbaum a staggering 78% approval rate among Mexican voters. Roberto Wohlgemuth, an expert in electoral intelligence, attributes this popularity to Sheinbaum’s continuation of her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) policies of wealth redistribution, austerity, and social programs.
Wohlgemuth also notes that Sheinbaum, AMLO’s political heir, has introduced a more technical and less polarizing style, prioritizing efficient management and engaging in dialogue with sectors formerly critical of AMLO. However, Sheinbaum’s primary internal challenge will be maintaining the cohesion of her party, Morena, and its political base.
Upon taking office, Sheinbaum presented her "100 Commitments for the Second Stage of the Fourth Transformation" manifesto, signaling her intent to build on AMLO’s policies. Although it’s too early to fulfill all 100 commitments, Sheinbaum has begun making progress on many fronts.
Some experts, like Salvador Martí Puig, a political science professor at the University of Girona, argue that Sheinbaum’s first 100 days largely consisted of completing AMLO’s agenda. However, Antonio López Vega, a historian from the Complutense University of Madrid, believes that Sheinbaum will carve out her own path, guided by her academic background and personal ideologies.
Sheinbaum’s first actions included presenting a plan to tackle domestic violence and advocating for gender equality. Nevertheless, her administration faces criticism concerning its handling of crime and corruption. Looking ahead, experts agree that Sheinbaum’s six-year term will pose significant challenges, particularly with the upcoming U.S. presidency of Donald Trump.
Despite these hurdles, Sheinbaum’s responses to Trump’s policies have received positive feedback from both the Mexican public and experts. Unlike her Canadian counterpart, who recently resigned amidst political turmoil, Sheinbaum’s early approaches have earned her the confidence of her nation.
