Abstract

This study explores the leadership style of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), characterized by its populism. Serving as the President of Mexico from 2018 to 2024, López Obrador is regarded as the nation’s first populist leader. The current President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has adopted elements of López Obrador’s strategy to appeal to the Mexican populace. Consequently, even though he is no longer in office, López Obrador’s methodologies and tactics remain pertinent for comprehensive analysis, as it is posited that López Obrador may have established a “perfect” model of populist leadership, which will be studied within a theoretical framework. This research aims to uncover the significant implications of populist leadership. Utilizing a qualitative approach and descriptive scope, this study examines López Obrador’s actions and rhetoric in the context of his populist leadership. The findings suggest that the perceived success of his administration was largely attributable to his leadership style and the need to thoroughly study populist leadership and its potential consequences.