Mexico enters a historic chapter as Claudia Sheinbaum becomes its 66th president and the first woman to hold the office. An environmental scientist and political protege of the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum faces high expectations amid the country's complex social, economic, and security issues. Here are five important things to know about her:

1. Breaking Historical Barriers as Mexico's First Female President

Sheinbaum’s election represents a historic milestone: she is the first female president in Mexico's history and the first president of Jewish heritage. Her victory signifies the strides women have made in Mexican politics, a domain dominated by men for more than two centuries.

Her win also holds significance given Mexico's struggles with gender-based violence. The country has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, and Sheinbaum has proposed creating an anti-femicide prosecutor's office, an initiative she previously implemented in Mexico City. Despite these measures, her campaign faced criticism from feminist groups for lacking specific gender-related policies, and she has remained ambiguous about her stance on abortion rights.

Sheinbaum's Jewish heritage adds another layer to her groundbreaking presidency. Though she is proud of her ancestry, she is not religiously affiliated. Her ascension is notable in a predominantly Catholic country where Jews comprise less than one percent of the population.

2. A Scientist Turned Politician with a Focus on Climate Policy

Claudia Sheinbaum's background as a climate scientist sets her apart. With a PhD in energy engineering, she has worked on environmental issues since the 1990s. She contributed to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which won the Nobel Peace Prize alongside former U.S. Vice President Al Gore in 2007.

She began her political career as López Obrador's environmental minister when he was mayor of Mexico City in 2000 and has remained a steadfast ally. However, her environmental platform diverges significantly from López Obrador’s policies. Sheinbaum advocates for increased renewable energy production, electric public transit, and the use of electric vehicles, signaling a shift from her predecessor’s preference for fossil fuels.

Nevertheless, Sheinbaum has praised López Obrador’s controversial oil refinery project, Dos Bocas, calling it "majestic." The refinery, marred by cost overruns and incomplete operations, presents a potential policy challenge for her administration as she balances environmental goals with economic realities.

3. A Political Protégé with a Different Style

Sheinbaum's rise to the presidency owes much to her close relationship with López Obrador, one of Mexico's most popular yet polarizing political figures. She mirrors his dedication to social programs that uplift the poor, but she is seen as more analytical and data-driven compared to López Obrador’s charismatic and folksy style.

Their contrasting approaches were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. While López Obrador downplayed testing and social distancing, Sheinbaum expanded testing capacity in Mexico City and advocated for precautionary measures.

Though she has promised to extend López Obrador’s legacy, Sheinbaum faces the challenge of forging a distinct political identity. Her choice of cabinet members—many of whom are López Obrador’s trusted confidantes—signals both continuity and the weight of the expectations she carries from his administration.

4. Entering Office with a Strong Political Mandate

Sheinbaum steps into the presidency backed by a supermajority in the lower house of Congress and nearly two-thirds of the Senate, giving her significant legislative power. However, this advantage comes with considerable challenges.

She inherits a growing budget deficit fueled by her predecessor's ambitious social programs, the costly Dos Bocas refinery, and an extensive tourist train project. Moreover, López Obrador's final act of pushing a constitutional amendment to elect rather than appoint all of Mexico's 7,000 judges presents another layer of complexity. Critics argue that this reform erodes checks and balances and creates business uncertainties, contributing to a sharp decline in the Mexican peso’s value against the dollar.

One of Sheinbaum's early tasks will be to manage the fallout from this judicial overhaul and reassure financial markets while steering through Mexico’s fiscal issues.

5. Security and Migration: Key Focus Areas

Security ranks as the most pressing concern among Mexican voters, given the deep-rooted influence of organized crime. Cartel violence, extortion, and other criminal activities have permeated various aspects of daily life. Sheinbaum has pledged to address the root causes of crime and violence by expanding National Guard presence and launching educational and job programs for youth, continuing a strategy aligned with López Obrador's approach.

On the international front, migration is a top concern for the United States, and Mexico faces pressure to control the flow of migrants heading to the U.S. border. Political analysts anticipate that Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, will cooperate with U.S. efforts to curb migration, partly as leverage in broader negotiations on trade and other issues.

Claudia Sheinbaum's presidency marks a new era in Mexican politics. As a scientist and a political disciple of López Obrador, she embodies both continuity and potential change. Her policy stances on climate, security, and economic reforms will define her legacy as Mexico's first female leader. With a massive political mandate but also a host of challenges, Sheinbaum's ability to navigate these issues will shape the country's future.