Mexico City's Mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, has officially announced her resignation, effective at the week's end. Her goal is to contend for the presidency in 2024, aiming to become the nation's first female leader. A member of the leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party, Sheinbaum is vying for the ruling party's nomination to succeed the current president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Due to Mexico's single six-year term limit for presidents, Lopez Obrador is ineligible for re-election. While he has publicly denied favoring any particular successor, sources suggest he supports Sheinbaum's candidacy. Morena plans to reveal the results of its internal candidate selection on September 6th, with Sheinbaum currently considered a frontrunner.

Sheinbaum's party, Morena, enjoys significant popularity thanks to Lopez Obrador's strong approval ratings, giving them a considerable advantage in the upcoming June 2024 election. During her resignation announcement, the 60-year-old mayor emphasized her commitment to continuing the transformative policies of Lopez Obrador, while also adding her own unique perspective.

Current polling data suggests a tight race between Sheinbaum and her main competitor, Marcelo Ebrard, the former foreign minister who also recently resigned to pursue the presidency. Sheinbaum's 2018 mayoral victory was historic, marking her as both the first elected female mayor and the first Jewish mayor of Mexico City. Her win was decisive, securing an eight-point margin.

Sheinbaum has highlighted recent polling data indicating strong public support for a female president, with over two-thirds of Mexicans in favor. Her declaration, "It's time for women," underscores her commitment to representing this significant shift in public opinion.