Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum receives support at the Mexican Green Party’s National Convention on Wednesday, June 7. Photo: Google

By KELIN DILLON

Just days after Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) announced the rules for the race to determine his successor and the National Regeneration Movement’s (Morena) presidential candidate in the 2024 elections, the Green Party (PVEM) – Morena’s political ally – announced its intentions to fully support Mexico City Governor Claudia Sheinbaum in her quest to earn the hotly-contested presidential candidacy.

Sheinbaum was initially invited to the PVEM’s National Convention on Wednesday, June 7, to speak on the environmental strategies implemented during her time as Mexico City’s governor, but was instead greeted by a full-fledged rally thrown by the PVEM in support of her presidential aspirations.

The rally was organized by notable PVEM figureheads Arturo Escobar and Jesús Sesma, who noted that Sheinbaum had earned a 90-percent approval rating among the party’s constituents in the capital throughout her tenure as its head of government. 

“About a year ago, I told Sheinbaum that if one day you raise your hand and seek or aspire to be president, I want to be working with you,” said Escobar to the tune of a standing ovation. “And a few weeks ago, I told her: ‘Doctor, you are the most popular in Morena, but in the PVEM you are more popular than in Morena; there you have an approval rate between 70 to 75 percent, with us you have over 90 percent approval; it is nearly unanimous.” 

First expressing her “surprise” to arrive at a support rally rather than a party conference, Sheinbaum went on to address the crowd about the importance of collaboration between the PVEM and Morena ahead of next year’s presidential elections.

“I am convinced that by 2024 we have to join forces: Morena, the Green Party and the Labor Party (PT),” said Sheinbaum. “Together, we are invincible, and I am also very sure that this whole process of unity is already taking place and is going to continue to take place and I am very grateful for all of the support.”

However, as Sheinbaum has yet to officially announce her candidacy in the race for AMLO’s successor, the Mexico City governor subsequently told the crowd that she would wait for the official decision of Morena’s National Council on Sunday, June 11, before taking any additional steps toward beginning her campaign.

“I will be disciplined in my wait for Sunday, for the National Council of Morena, so that the party’s approach is determined there, and on Monday, you will hear my position,” continued Sheinbaum.

Sheinbaum was the only one of the anticipated hopeful AMLO successors – which is expected to likewise include Secretary of the Interior Adán Augusto López Hernández, Secretary of Foreign Relations (SRE) Marcelo Ebrard and Senate Majority Leader Ricardo Monreal Ávila – to receive such fanfare and a direct endorsement from one of Morena’s party allies, with Senator Manuel Velasco, one of the PVEM’s very own members who’s already announced his intentions to vie for the presidential candidacy, receiving complete disregard by his party as it chose to fully back Sheinbaum instead.