Country Reports

Elections in Panama: The new president is José Mulino

Realzando Metas party candidate wins with over 34 percent

On May 5, three million Panamanians were called upon to elect the next President and Vice-President, 71 deputies to the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional - AN), 20 deputies to the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), 81 mayors, 701 representatives of the governing districts and 11 councils of Panama City, as well as their respective deputies, for the next five years. Eight candidates have been approved by the Tribunal Electoral (TE) to run for president and have been vying for voters' favor since February 3, 2024. In the end, José Raúl Mulino Quintero of the Realizando Metas party won 34.36 percent of the vote on May 5 and will take over the presidency of Panama on July 4 of this year.

Political panorama in Panama four months before the general elections

On 5 May 2024, general elections will be held in Panama every five years.

It is already clear that the population is anxiously and impatiently awaiting these elections, which will be very different from those held in previous years. Their uniqueness lies in the participation of two former presidents of Panama, who are competing for the presidency with six other candidates, regardless of the parties they belonged to during their previous terms in office.

A nation loses its patience

Controversial mining contract in Panama triggers mass protests across the country

In recent months, Panama has been involved in a controversial debate about a controversial mining contract with far-reaching implications. The contract, which was approved by the Panamanian Congress on October 20, grants Minería Panama, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals from Canada, the right to operate the largest open pit copper mine in Central America for a period of 20 years. This mine covers approximately 12,000 hectares in Donoso, Colón province. The agreement promises significant economic benefits for Panama and ensures that at least USD 375 million in license fees will be paid annually. President Laurentino Cortizo emphasized at the approval of the contract on 24 October: 'We have made the right decision, not the easiest one. Nevertheless, nationwide protests broke out, reflecting public dissatisfaction with both the agreement itself and current government policy.

Panama wacht auf: Ungleichheit führt zu Massenprotesten

Was ist aus dem Land geworden, das als Beispiel für Wohlstand und Stabilität galt? Seit dem 6. Juli, dem Tag, an dem die längste und breiteste Mobilisierung kollektiver sozialer Straßenproteste und Blockaden der letzten 50 Jahre begann, scheint in Panama nichts mehr so zu sein, wie es einmal war.

Auf dem Weg ins Ungewisse

Migrationskrise an der Grenze von Kolumbien nach Panama

Etwa 15.000 Menschen warten in dem kleinen Ort Necoclí auf kolumbianischem Gebiet darauf, sich über die Grenze nach Panama aufmachen zu können, um von dort weiter in die Zielländer USA und Kanada zu gelangen. Die Situation auf beiden Seiten der Grenze hat sich in den vergangenen Wochen dramatisch zugespitzt. Nun sind die Außenminister mehrerer Länder aktiv geworden, um mittel- und langfristige Lösungen des Migrationsproblems zu finden.

Panama’s “Bicentennial Pact”

A serious way of designing the future or a new deception?

The covid-19 pandemic has hit Panama hard. By the end of 2020, it was the country in the world with the highest daily number of new infections relative to its population. The complete lockdown, reimplemented since Christmas, this time provoked protests from the urban poor. The tense economic and social situation motivated the center-left government of President Laurentino Nito Cortizo to initiate a comprehensive national development program aimed at effectively counteracting Panama's severe inequality. Therefore, the creation and implementation of the "Bicentennial Pact" program should not be implemented by the government alone. Rather, all political, economic and social forces, down to every citizen, are called upon to contribute.

Panama's government under pressure

Navigating between transparency and accusations of corruption in the fight against the virus

After a consistent, transparent and unagitated course in the fight against the coronavirus, the government of President Laurentino "Nico" Cortizo is facing a rapid loss of confidence due to the irresponsible behaviour of members of the government. Until a few days ago, the severe restrictions on the freedom of movement and action that accompanied the drastic measures to combat the pandemic were supported by the vast majority of the Panamanian population without complaint. The government gambled away this broad consensus through questionable procurement projects bordering on audacity, which almost force the presumption of attempted corruption. At the centre of the accusations is José Gabriel "Gaby" Carrizo, Panama's vice president and head of the presidential ministry.

Presidential and parliamentary elections in Panama

Laurentino Cortizo Cohen is the man of the hour

Laurentino Cortizo Cohen is the man of the hour in Panama. With about 33 percent of the valid votes, "Nito" prevailed over his six competitors and was elected the new president of the state in the presidential, parliamentary and local elections on May 5, 2019. The 66-year-old businessman, who ran for the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), which is classified as a centre-left party in the political spectrum, was already a member of the Panamanian parliament between 1994 and 2004 and its president from 2000 to 2001.