Mexico Elects: Tracking the 2024 Presidential Debates

Topics: The three themes consisted of education and health; corruption and transparency; and violence against women and discrimination against vulnerable groups.

Format: During a two-hour debate, moderators ask 30 out of 108 questions drawn from 24,000 submitted via social media between February 20 and March 21 from across Mexico and broken down by region (north, central, and south). Each candidate delivers one-minute closing remarks. Via a March 22 lottery, the order of participation of the candidates was determined as follows: Sheinbaum, Álvarez Máynez, and Gálvez. 

Location: The first debate took place at the headquarters of the INE electoral agency in the capital.

Summary: As the kickoff debate between the candidates, this round was arguably the most anticipated, and it marked an effort by all three to differentiate themselves from establishment politics. Sheinbaum repeatedly referred to Gálvez as the candidate of the “PRIAN,” a term used to lump together the two main opposition parties in a negative light. Gálvez, most recently a senator representing the PAN, introduced herself by asserting that she is not an official member of any political party. Álvarez Máynez argued that he offered something new and suggested the two other candidates represent “old politics,” although he concentrated his attacks against Gálvez. She hit back, noting that he had previously been a member of the same parties he now assailed. 

There was no lack of barbs throughout the debate; Gálvez repeatedly sought to label the frontrunner as “cold and heartless,” arguing that, despite Sheinbaum’s goal of continuing AMLO’s legacy, she lacked his charisma. She raised questions in connection to controversies marking the incumbent party and Sheinbaum’s time as mayor, ranging from the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic to the collapse of a Mexico City subway line to medicine shortages. Sheinbaum shot back with her own labels, calling Gálvez “corrupt” and a “liar,” and, amid technical difficulties with the debate clock, charged that the opposition candidate even wanted to steal time.

The format consisted of a large number of questions on varying topics and with limited time for substantive proposals. On education, Sheinbaum promised an expansion of scholarships to bring more youth into the classroom, while Gálvez pledged to restore daycare programs and other educational programs ended by the AMLO government. While Sheinbaum defended the Morena government’s health system changes, Gálvez promised to restore Seguro Popular, a national health program ended during the AMLO government. Sheinbaum highlighted Morena’s social programs—arguably one of the AMLO governments most popular measures. Gálvez pledged to keep them in place and expand them. An exchange of accusations of corruption dominated the portion of the debate dedicated to transparency proposals.

In closing remarks, Sheinbaum argued that voters want continuation, Álvarez Máynez made a call for a “new Mexico,” and Gálvez said she would be the country’s first woman with indigenous roots. All three candidates claimed they won the debate, though experts differ on who—if anyone—came out on top.

Format: Video-recorded questions from citizens across the country and abroad. In this debate, the order of participation of candidates will be: Sheinbaum, Gálvez, and Álvarez Máynez. 

Topics: Economic growth, jobs and inflation, infrastructure and development, poverty and inequality, climate change, and sustainable development.

Location: Churubusco Studios, Mexico City`

Format: Face-to-face debate between the candidates and without citizens’ participation. 

Topics: Security and organized crime, migration and foreign relations, democracy, and power divisions. 

Location: Centro Cultural Universitario Tlatelolco, Mexico City 

*Editor's note: The original version of this article identified the second debate as taking place on April 29. The correct date is April 28.