PRELIMINARY results in the Mexican elections indicate a massive victory for Claudia Sheinbaum as president, and for Morena (and the Let’s Keep Making History coalition) in congressional and gubernatorial contests.

The results confirm what polls had been predicting for months and leave the right-wing opposition in complete disarray.

While these results are provisional and some variations are to be expected, the fundamental tendencies are so clear and decisive that it can confidently be affirmed that Amlo’s “4T Transformation” will continue.

This is a triumph for democracy, for the left and for the popular cause in Latin America, and indeed for the world.

Following a series of disheartening defeats, either at the polls or through “lawfare,” in Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, El Salvador and Panama, this dramatic victory in Latin America’s second-most populous country with the second-largest economy, next door to the hegemonic power of the US, is a tremendous boost for hope and progress on the international scene.

Early claims of victory by opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez, and threats of legal action with allegations of fraud, are now looking ridiculous in view of the statistical reality and the strict vigilance of the electoral institute INE, which can be accused of a number of defects but certainly not of any bias towards the left.

Preliminary figures in the presidential race give 59 per cent for Sheinbaum, 28 per cent for Galvez and 10 per cent for Jorge Alvarez Maynez.

Also in the eight contests for state governors, initial results indicate decisive victories for Morena and its allies in five states and very close contests in two (Jalisco and Yucatan) which had been long-standing right-wing strongholds. Guanajuato remains in the hands of the PAN but with a significant increase in the Morena vote.

Initial estimates by the INE suggest that in both the senate and the chamber of deputies, Morena and its coalition allies have probably achieved two-thirds majorities.

The full results won’t be known until at least Wednesday June 5, but Amlo’s “plan C” for achieving essential constitutional reforms may now be possible, something which few observers, even the most optimistic advocates of the 4T Transformation, really believed could be achieved.

Fundamental reforms of the judiciary and the electoral system and constitutional entrenchment of welfare rights, universal free health care, universal free public education, national public control of the energy sector, labour rights and other advances could be enacted.

Visiting polling stations, what impressed your correspondent was the massive turnout, the enthusiasm, patience and sense of unity of people waiting to vote.

In three polling stations in the central working-class district of Tlatelolco where I talked to voters at some length, there was no reluctance to speak or to permit photography or video recording: voters were pleased to know that there was interest in Britain in learning the truth about Mexico.

“This process has to continue,” said one man I interviewed; “We cannot let the corrupt old guard return.”

Several voters, male and female, mentioned the importance of having a woman as president, and a woman with training in environmental sciences and a long record of participation in popular struggles.

The growing prominence of women in general is characteristic of the way the movement is developing, reflected also in the victory as head of government (metro mayor) of Mexico City of Clara Brugada, an outstanding grassroots leader I met two years ago when she was mayor of the vast Iztapalapa borough. Preliminary polls give her around 50 per cent against the right-wing real estate speculator Santiago Taboada with around 40 per cent.

Galvez and her right-wing PAN-PRI-PRD coalition at first seemed determined to deny reality and mount a judicial challenge to the results, but after midnight she conceded defeat and congratulated the winner.

Sheinbaum and tens of thousands of supporters held a victory rally in the Zocalo Square and she declared that this was “the triumph of the Mexican people, of the peaceful revolution of consciousness, and the recognition by our people that there is a clear mandate to continue with the Fourth Transformation of Mexico’s public life.”

The outstanding young home secretary Luisa Alcalde, another of the rising female stars of the process, declared that “today our people made a categorical decision that the 4T Transformation must continue so as to carry on making Mexico a more just and egalitarian country.”

As Sheinbaum proclaimed her recognition of outgoing President Lopez Obrador (Amlo), the crowd chanted: “It’s an honour that she’s with Obrador!” and opposition acceptance of the victory dispelled all the clouds of uncertainty and fears of judicial coups and civil strife. This is a democratic triumph of global significance.

David L Raby is the co-ordinator of the Mexico Solidarity Forum and is reporting from Mexico for the Star. He can be reached at david.raby@mexicosolidarity.org.uk and on X @DLRaby.