Political effervescence in Mexico: López Obrador sets the pace on the eve of historic elections

The political environment in Mexico is in full effervescence just a few days before carrying out the largest elections in its history. Although President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is not on the ballot for any public office for the first time since the year 2000, his presence is undeniable in this electoral contest, generating a constant debate among his supporters and detractors about his role in the campaign. Xóchitl Gálvez, the main opposition candidate of the coalition Fuerza y Corazón por México, has been one of the most critical voices towards López Obrador, accusing him of acting as a candidate with his interventions in the morning press conferences. In an interview with EFE, Gálvez expressed her concern about the imbalance of facing not only her political adversaries, such as Claudia Sheinbaum, but also the president himself. Sheinbaum, the ruling party candidate of the grouping Sigamos haciendo Historia, has not held back in praising López Obrador throughout the entire campaign, highlighting him as the "best president in the history of Mexico" and emphasizing her intention to continue the project of the Fourth Transformation. This stance reflects the undeniable influence that López Obrador exerts in current Mexican politics. Ulises Corona, a political science professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), points out that López Obrador has been a "great communicator" and an expert in understanding the Mexican media ecosystem, allowing him to maintain a constant presence in the public opinion through his daily press conferences. This communication strategy has earned him both criticism and praise. With the elections approaching, it is expected that 98 million Mexican voters will go to the polls to renew more than 20,000 positions, including the Presidency, deputies, senators, and state governments. López Obrador has described this process as a "plebiscite" to choose the nation's project that Mexico desires, instead of solely supporting a person or political party. The popularity and charisma of López Obrador among the Mexican population are reflected in Pejelandia, a store located in the center of the capital that offers a variety of products with the president's image. From keychains to t-shirts with the controversial image of the Santa Muerte, this store is a testimony to the fervor that the president arouses among his followers. Armando Montero, owner of Pejelandia, highlights the positive impact that López Obrador has had on the population, especially for his work as the Head of Government of Mexico City in the past. For many, the president represents a fundamental change in Mexican politics, which has generated solid support for his administration. Amid an electoral campaign marked by the constant presence of López Obrador, Mexicans are preparing to cast their votes and define the country's direction in the coming years. With the shadow of the president looming over the contest, next Sunday's elections are shaping up to be a crucial moment for Mexican democracy and the nation's future.