Mexico: Senator Xochitl Galvez Set to Become Presidental Candidate
The Facts
Mexican Senator Xochitl Galvez is set to become the main opposition candidate against Pres. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s (AMLO) governing National Regeneration Movement (Morena) in next year’s presidential election, after she won the endorsement of a key political party.
Galvez’s candidacy recently took a major step when the leader of Mexico’s former ruling party — the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) — endorsed her rather than the party’s own candidate, Beatriz Paredes. Paredes was absent from the PRI conference at which the candidacy was announced.
The Spin
Narrative A
Xochitl Galvez is the perfect candidate to represent the opposition and take down AMLO’s Morena party. She is a unifying figure; a successful businesswoman with an indigenous background from humble beginnings. Her charisma and charm are undeniable, and AMLO’s smearing of her shows he is afraid of her rise. Galvez has only gained popularity, and electoral success will see her take Mexico in a new direction.
Narrative B
Despite all the smears against him, AMLO has had a very successful run as president, bringing about necessary reforms to help poor and working-class people. Of course, like any administration, AMLO’s government hasn't been perfect, but it has made tremendous progress which explains its ongoing extreme popularity. The Morena party will build on this momentum and Mexico should support the party even if AMLO isn’t at the top of the ticket.
