The objective of each was to address the issues of concern to these communities but also to assess the agendas of the candidates towards these communities. ![]() On March 22 and April 22 respectively, the Foro Afropanameño, a nationwide entity of various social movement organizations representing Afro-Panamanians and the National Coordinator of Indigenous Peoples (CONAPIP) representing indigenous communities, held candidates forums for those running. However this prosperity belies the the fact that Panama's black and indigenous communities have barely benefited from the economic boom which has been driven in large part by the financial sector, Panama Canal commissions, real estate and infrastructure development such as the subway expansion in Panama City. In fact, " nearly one in four of the population has an income less than half of the median level, according to a study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean - the highest discrepancy in 18 countries it reviewed". ![]() The campaign has been dominated by issues of ongoing corruption scandals across the political spectrum, rising inequality and crime, education system, strengthening /reworking of the country's Constitution, concerns about the viability of Panama's social security system and a general lack of trust by the population that government institutions are able to address the concerns of the people, in particular the most marginalized.ĭespite the corruption inquiries and economic malaise that has gripped the country for the last 3 years, Panama remains one of the strongest economies in Latin America with 5.3% growth and is projected by the World Bank to have 6% growth in 2019. Other candidates include the Mayor of Panama City, José Isabel Blandón, Ricardo Lombana, and Panama's former attorney general Ana Matilde Gómez and Saul Méndez, leader of SunTracs, Panama’s strongest labor union. His closest competitor, Romulo Roux of the Democratic Change Party (CD) is backed by ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, who is currently incarcerated awaiting trial for corruption. With less than 48 hours before voters go to the polls, Lorentino "Nito" Cortizo Cohen of the Popular Democratic Party (PRD), is favored to win succeeding outgoing president Juan Carlos Varela. Seven candidates have run a grueling race which began in earnest in mid 2018. She said that this was an important process for Panamanian democracy that “opens up opportunities for everyone who has not been registered in political parties.On Sunday May 5, Panamanians go to the polls to elect a president for a new 5 year term (2019-2024). ![]() She also thanked the almost 800 activists who work ad honorem “thinking of a different and better course, in a different Panama”. “With the act today we are able to inform our supporters and the nation that with these books we have exceeded 50 thousand signatures,” said Deputy Gomez. On Monday, July 23 she took the opportunity to thank over 50,000 Panamanians who would like her to become president when she delivered to the Electoral Tribunal, dozens of books each containing over 5,000 signatures supporting her bid, ![]() Independent candidate backed by 50,000 signaturesĪna Matilde Gómez, who as Panama’s first woman Attorney General, was railroaded by a cabal of Supreme Court judges, led by one later obliged to resign, survived to become the only independent deputy in the National Assembly, gaining more votes than any of the leading party hacks. This woman may be Panama's best hope for stable, uncorrupted government.
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