Panamanians voted for their leaders on Sunday, with former president Ricardo Martinelli’s dolphin, José Raúl Mulino, leading the official count with over 34 percent of the votes. More than three million voters were called to the polls to elect various positions, including a president, deputies to the National Assembly, mayors, and other officials for the period 2024-2029.
Despite some irregularities reported during the election process, such as attempts to take photographs of votes, overall it was described as within reasonableness and normality. The country’s economy grew 7.3% in 2023 but is expected to slow down to 2.5% this year due to various factors such as a drought affecting the canal and environmental protests.
The next president of Panama will inherit a complex fiscal and economic situation, with a high level of public debt and challenges in the social security system. Despite these challenges, Panamanians showed enthusiasm and participation in the electoral process, with supporters of various parties expressing their views and engaging in spirited debates. The outcome of these elections will be crucial in addressing these issues and setting Panama on a path towards economic growth and social progress.