The New York Times labeled of “historic” the choice of Vázquez Mota as presidential candidate, pointing that it is the first time that a woman will “run for president in Mexico on a major-party ticket.” Fox News said that it marks a milestone for women in Mexico, a country where the first female governor didn't take office until 1989.
An economist and former secretary of education, Vázquez Mota was the last candidate to be chosen for the presidential elections set for July 1st. She joins the telegenic Enrique Peña Nieto from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) which ruled Mexico for most of the 20th century, and the leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador from the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD).
Times seem to be changing in Latin America, a continent that has two women presidents in the likes of Dilma Rousseff of Brazil and Cristina Fernández of Argentina. Also, the Chilean Michelle Bachelet has just left office. So the question would be, why not Mexico?
The selection of Vázquez Mota shows the evolution of democracy in Mexico, but also of a traditionalist society that still has a long way to go in terms of equal opportunities for women.
It is also a smart move by the ruling party of President Calderon, which is some 20 points behind in the polls. The appeal of Vázquez Mota to female voters is something that will definitely play an important role in the election of the next Mexican president.
