In Panama, the general election was held on Sunday. The official count led by Ricardo Martinelli’s dolphin, José Raúl Mulino, with over 34 percent of the votes. More than three million voters were called to the polls to elect various officials for the period 2024-2029, including a president, deputies to the National Assembly, mayors and other officials.
Four presidential candidates were seen as having a chance of victory: Mulino, Ricardo Lombana, Rómulo Roux and former president Martín Torrijos. The closure of polling stations and the start of the Unofficial Transmission of Results (TER) process took place in the afternoon with turnout expected to be around 80%. Despite some irregularities reported such as attempts to take photographs of votes, the election process was described as within reasonableness and normality.
The country’s economy is expected to slow down from its growth rate of 7.3% in 2023 to 2.5% this year due to various factors including a drought affecting the canal and environmental protests. The next president will face a complex fiscal and economic situation with high levels of public debt and challenges in social security system. Panamanians continue to struggle with high levels of inequality with two distinct realities coexisting within its borders.
The electoral outcome will be crucial in addressing these issues and setting the country on a path towards economic growth and social progress. Despite facing challenges ahead, Panamanians showed enthusiasm and participation in the electoral process with supporters expressing their views engaging in spirited debates.
In summary, Panamanians participated in a general election on Sunday where former President Ricardo Martinelli’s dolphin led the official count with over 34 percent of the votes. The four presidential candidates vying for victory were Ricardo Lombana, Rómulo Roux and former President Martín Torrijos among others. Despite some irregularities reported during the election process which took place in
