Former President Ricardo Martinelli’s ally, José Raúl Mulino, led the race for the presidency of Panama on Sunday with almost 10 percentage points ahead of his closest pursuer, according to preliminary official results.
Mulino, a 64-year-old lawyer and diplomat who was Minister of Government and Justice and Public Security during Martinelli’s mandate and chancellor in the 1990s, garnered 33.19% of the votes, with 23.63% of the tables scrutinized. He was followed with 23.93% by Ricardo Lombana, a 50-year-old lawyer who was consul in the United States during the government of Martín Torrijos.
The winner of the eight candidates, who will take office on July 1 for a five-year term, will face a daunting task to repair growing social divisions and regain the faith of an electorate fed up with political corruption.
During weeks of campaigning, candidates sought to court voters concerned about the country’s economic problems, corruption and restoring the isthmus’s reputation as an investment haven.
76% of the little more than three million Panamanians eligible to do so would have gone to vote.
Mulino replaced the popular Martinelli (2009-2014) in the presidential race after he was banned from running due to a money laundering conviction. Until then, she was his vice presidential candidate.
He has vowed to keep Martinelli, who has played a key role in the elections from inside the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City, out of jail. Managua granted him asylum, although Panamanian authorities have prevented him from leaving the country.
The candidate visited Martinelli at the embassy after casting his vote. Before going to the polls, he had reiterated his promise to lead a “pro-private enterprise” government if he wins the vote.
Behind Mulino was Ricardo Lombana, who also tried for the presidency five years ago. His roadmap is framed by austerity, a new constitution, various anti-corruption measures, social security reforms and immigration control.
“I have hope that my candidate is going to change the future of this long-suffering country,” said Magali Rosas, a 60-year-old retiree, after casting her vote for Mulino in Panama City.
“People have participated with great enthusiasm because we want changes,” he added.
In the Central American country there is no second round, so Sunday’s result will be final. No party is expected to win a majority in Congress. In addition, hundreds of other public positions will be renewed.
MINING AND CORRUPTION
MPs from different groups who backed a controversial government contract with Canadian mining company First Quantum have faced a backlash that could hurt their re-election bids.
Thousands of Panamanians took to the streets last year to protest the Cobre Panama mine contract, which opponents said lacked environmental guarantees and was rife with corruption. The Supreme Court ruled the contract unconstitutional in November.
The next government will have to deal with a troubled pension fund system, high levels of public debt and the loss of revenue from the mine closure, which represented around 5% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Corruption has become a hot topic for voters. Local media have recently reported on lucrative student loans and scholarships awarded to children of high-profile politicians and wealthy families.
After a record 520,000 migrants crossed the dangerous jungle connecting Panama and Colombia, known as the Darien Gap, in 2023, migration is also on voters’ minds. Some candidates have promised to open the land crossing, which could increase the migratory flow, while others want to strengthen controls or close it completely.
The next administration will also inherit problems facing the Panama Canal, whose revenues fell after it was forced to cut ship crossings due to a prolonged drought.
You can also read: Corruption overshadows the elections in Panama
