Preelection: General elections in Panama
Political AnalisysOn May 5, Panamanians will elect the next president and the new National Assembly for the period 2024-2029. Among 8 candidates, José Raúl Mulino of Realizando Metas (RM) leads the electoral race. Whoever obtains the highest number of valid votes will win the Presidency, since there is no run-off election.
The elections will be held in a context of controversy due to the disqualification of the original candidate of RM, former president Ricardo Martinelli who was the favorite in the polls until his prohibition to participate in the election. In addition, Mulino’s candidacy is being questioned by the Supreme Court of Justice, due to the fact that he was not elected in an internal party election and that he is running without a vicepresidential candidate. This will add up to a great social discontent and low levels of approval for the outgoing president Laurentino Cortizo and the Assembly.
Also at stake are the 71 seats in the National Assembly, currently controlled by the ruling PRD and its allies, although also characterized by a high degree of internal fragmentation. After the election, a similar scenario is not ruled for the conformation of the new Assembly. If this is verified the construction of consensus will be paramount for the new President to push his agenda.