The first of three scheduled debates among the three candidates running for the Mexican presidency—Claudia Sheinbaum (Morena-PT-PVEM), Xóchitl Gálvez (PAN-PRI-PRD) and Jorge Máynez (Movimiento Ciudadano)—turned out to be a damp squib, in the view of many political analysts.
El Financiero said the April 7 debate would have “a limited impact on the election” given that the candidates offered few solutions to the inherent problems of the themes selected for discussion: corruption, education, health and care for vulnerable groups. In addition, commentators called the debate especially unprofessional, as there were repeated issues with the timing mechanisms for the candidates’ interventions. The debate was also criticized by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who, some sources said, was upset that Sheinbaum, his party’s candidate, declined to give his administration any credit for the efforts to eliminate corruption. Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro said the questions were “biased,” even though they were sent in by members of the public. The next debate is scheduled for Sunday, April 28.