Panama General Election overshadowed by disqualification of front-runner

Panamanians vote in general election overshadowed by disqualification of front-runner

Panama prepares for crucial elections

2 hours ago

Panamanians are voting in a general election today, a crucial event overshadowed by the disqualification of the frontrunner.

Ex-President Ricardo Martinelli, who was the favorite to win, was banned from running due to a money laundering conviction.

Amid this unexpected turn, José Raúl Mulino, his replacement on the ballot, has emerged as the current leader in the polls.

Election dynamics

Panama’s election hinges on the candidate who secures the most votes in this round, as the winner will be declared president and inaugurated on July 1. A total of eight candidates are in the running for the presidency, with voters also electing members of the national assembly.

An interesting facet of this election is the fact that the incumbent, Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo, is unable to seek re-election, as presidents in Panama are prohibited from serving two consecutive terms.

The polls appear to favor José Raúl Mulino, a 64-year-old lawyer from the Realizando Metas (Achieving Goals) party, who had previously served as Martinelli’s running mate during the campaign. Following Martinelli’s money laundering conviction, Mulino entered the race for president.

However, Mulino’s candidacy faced legal challenges, with the validity of his nomination hotly debated. The debate came to a close just two days before the election, when the country’s top court ruled in favor of his candidacy, paving the way for his campaign to continue.

Martinelli’s endorsement and critic’s response

Mr Mulino, who has the backing of ex-President Martinelli, has been actively promoting his campaign through video messages published by Martinelli himself.

However, critics have raised concerns about Mulino’s promise to “close” the Darién Gap, a region known for dangerous migrations. Mulino’s opponents argue that such an approach ignores the complex nature of migration and favor alternative methods to ensure the safety and well-being of migrants.

Other prominent candidates

Aside from Mulino, two other well-known figures in Panamanian politics are vying for the presidency.

Martín Torrijos, who previously served as president from 2004 to 2009, is running with the slogan “Safe Change.” He recognizes the importance of investing in the Panama Canal, a key driver of the country’s economy.

Rómulo Roux, a former president of the Panama Canal’s board, is running for the presidency for the second time, having previously lost to current President Laurentino Cortizo in 2019. Roux’s campaign promises an “aggressive” job creation scheme and an improvement in public services.

Another candidate, Ricardo Lombana, is making his second attempt at securing the presidency after running as an independent in 2019. Lombana, who represents the Other Way Movement, emphasizes the need to enhance security conditions for migrants passing through Panama.

The state of the race

Recent opinion polls suggest that Mr. Mulino is leading the race. However, with approximately a fifth of registered voters remaining undecided, his rivals still have a chance at victory.

Polls opened at 07:00 local time and will close nine hours later. Preliminary results are expected soon after the polls close.