The limitations
One of the limitations that Sheinbaum will have at the start of her government will be economic resources.
The Morena member has spoken out against a fiscal policy, but will maintain spending on social programs, which makes the spending equation difficult.
A Analysis by the organization Mexico Evalúa warns that the Sheinbaum Government is will have to suffer the hangover of excessive debt of the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
To meet its commitments, Sheinbaum will accentuate the austerity policy in the government and foresees spending cutswhich could make it difficult for him to fulfill his campaign promises.
“From 2016 to 2017 (during Enrique Peña Nieto’s government) when austerity measures were applied, the main concepts sacrificed were investment, cut by 26%, and subsidies and transfers by 12%,” explains the article by México Evalúa titled “Sheinbaum will start her sexennium in the Milei style: with spending cuts.”
Rodrigo Salazar Elena, professor at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO), states that Sheinbaum already knows the financial situation and that There is not enough income to cover the ambitious programs “but above all the favourite infrastructure projects”, which are still in progress.
“The government is unable to finance these projects without resorting to two sources, both highly undesirable: one is the debt that the government has long managed to hide the huge level of indebtedness, and the other source of financing has been worse, as it is the formal and de facto cancellation of other expenditure items, such as those for the health sector,” he says.
The style of government
In the first 100 days, it is also possible to identify what the personal style of governing will be.
Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that she will not criticize or distance herself from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, since they are part of the same political movement, however, she will have her own government seal.
“What they would like is for there to be a demarcation, to mark a difference, to criticize him, I will not do it, never (…) Without fear of being wrong, we say, Andrés Manuel López Obrador the best president of Mexico.”
Claudia Sheinbaum, president-elect of Mexico.
She has made this distinction evident in the transition stage. She has incorporated into her cabinet profiles that already accompanied her in the Head of Government, and if it is true that she has opted for López Obrador-style conferences, Sheinbaum’s are shorter.
“She needs to put her own stamp on the Presidency and thereby differentiate her government from that of López Obrador,” adds Diana Pérez, a UIC academic.
After receiving her certificate of majority as president-elect, Sheinbaum faces a new stage in which her autonomy could be put to the test Since 45 days after taking office, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has not let go of the reins and remains present in decision-making, considers the FLACSO political scientist.
“We are immersed in the Judicial Reform and Plan ‘C’ and that is the agenda of the outgoing president… this is truly unprecedented, if anything this is a situation like the one experienced when José López Portillo nationalized the banking sector as a final demonstration of its great power,” he says.
“Sheinbaum has not taken the reins because López Obrador is still very active in making decisions.”
Rodrigo Salazar Elena, from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO).
In the first three months of government, It will also be possible to evaluate what kind of relationship she will have as head of state with the world.but particularly with the United States.
“Mexico’s position vis-à-vis the United States is very important. Sheinbaum will start in October and in November the new president of the United States will be elected, so she will have to define her position very quickly to begin working on issues that cannot be postponed, such as the renegotiation of the T-MEC,” adds Azucena Rojas.
Thus, starting this August 15, a new stage begins for Sheinbaum: that of president-elect, the one who offered to govern for all Mexicans.
