In Panama's presidential election, José Raúl Mulino emerged victorious, securing approximately 35% of the votes with over 92% counted, leading his nearest competitor by nine points. The election was marked by the influence of former President Ricardo Martinelli, who, despite being barred from running and residing in Nicaragua's embassy to avoid prison, played a significant role in supporting Mulino's campaign. Mulino visited Martinelli at the embassy, highlighting the influence of Martinelli's party, Realizando Metas. This election saw a turnout of about 75%, consistent with past elections. Voters also chose representatives for various other governmental roles, including the National Assembly, where independents increased their presence significantly.
Stand-in for Ex-President Ricardo Martinelli Wins Panama Presidency https://t.co/M1pszmMT6l
A thing of beauty. Panama's legislative branch went from 5 of 71 independents to effectively 25 of 71 independents. This is the first time ever Panamanians show courage in a national election. https://t.co/hKiCh4ZrY0
Panama’s government bonds were the biggest gainers in Latin America on Monday after Jose Raul Mulino won the presidential election and pledged a “pro-private enterprise” government https://t.co/zXFrUS2vfV
Congratulations to President-elect José Raúl Mulino of Panama on his electoral victory. We look forward to growing our robust bilateral partnership that includes inclusive, sustainable economic growth, curbing irregular migration, and deepening our cultural ties.
Panama's former security minister Jose Raul Mulino stormed to victory in a presidential poll dominated by his old boss, the popular ex-leader Ricardo Martinelli, who buttressed his campaign despite being holed up in Nicaragua's embassy https://t.co/mG2iKMlg6Y https://t.co/9K1BxCHywj
Last-minute candidate José Raúl Mulino wins Panama's presidential election He had nearly 35% of the votes with more than 92% of the votes counted, giving him a nine-point lead over his nearest competitor #Panama #PanamaDecide2024 #JoseRaulMulino https://t.co/CjBPWoWXv3
Last-minute stand-in wins Panama presidency https://t.co/UPm7NuBUg2
Last-minute candidate heads to victory in Panama presidential election https://t.co/Jeg57CNiSU
#BREAKING Panama runner-up concedes presidential race to Jose Raul Mulino https://t.co/lKBWiH46AN
Well that’s how the democratic cookie crumbles. Panama’s statistically inappropriate election system has delivered victory to a puppet of one of the most corrupt politicians in Latin America today. https://t.co/fCbKc3M2qM
Polls close in Panama presidential elections with eight contenders ➡️ https://t.co/LebINnMWUB https://t.co/2YeBqPUOXI
Following weeks of campaign events, over 3 million voters in Panama voted to decide who is best placed to fix pressing economic problems, tackle corruption and restore the country's reputation as an investment haven https://t.co/0Bav4S9kUK https://t.co/WU9UFvghFN
Eight candidates are running to take over the presidency in Panama, with the frontrunner only recently given the legal go-ahead amid a corruption scandal. https://t.co/egOlqapBbf
Latin America should pay more attention to Panama's election today Trade, environment, migration, social unrest & fiscal constraints, whoever becomes the next president will face a combo of the region’s top problems 🇵🇦 Preview via @mdmcdonald @bpolitics https://t.co/atn1braz0b
The ballotage system is imperfect, at times favoring extreme candidates with small but loyal followings, as in Peru in 2021. But Panama’s first-past-the-post process is also problematic. Today’s winner will fall distressingly short of a majority when 🇵🇦 needs strong leadership. https://t.co/67cdvrVpl7
Given the good turn Nicaragua did for the fugitive Ricardo Martinelli, the return to power of the Realizando Metas party would no doubt complicate US and European efforts to isolate the repressive regime in Managua that murders protestors and imprisons opponents and priests. https://t.co/JzMMUIt6rC
Panama would be the second Latin American country in the last year to elect as president the protégé of a disgraced former leader subject to US sanctions for “significant corruption.” (Paraguay did the same in April 2023.) https://t.co/exd1os7WNj
The leading candidate in today’s presidential election visited his political patron, former President Ricardo Martinelli, in the Nicaraguan Embassy, where Martinelli is living to avoid prison for money laundering. Sensible campaign tactic, but another blow to Panama’s image. https://t.co/yJmhZKWke3
El candidato presidencial José Raúl Mulino se encuentra en la embajada de Nicaragua para reunirse con el expresidente Ricardo Martinelli. https://t.co/rLx5Yn2AoO https://t.co/6NqsIRgDum
Panamanians vote in election dominated by former president who was barred from running https://t.co/YspizHp8Wm
#Panama | Three million citizens are being called to the polls to vote for president, vice president, 20 legislators to the Central American Parliament, 71 legislators to the National Assembly, 81 mayors, 701 township representatives, and 11 councilors. https://t.co/ebENpqu3tH
#Panama | Current National Assembly: 35 PRD, 18 CD, 8 Panameñista, 5 MOLIRENA, 5 Independents. The new legislature likely to be more fragmented with less PRD, more independents & the addition of RM (Martinelli’s party) which is a splinter from CD. Governing will be a challenge.
#Panama | Average turnout across the 7 presidential elections is ~75%. Deviations from this average, either up or down, will affect how well polls captured the race & opens the possibility of some surprises… https://t.co/7v4cfbHxcX
#Panama | Today marks the 7th presidential elections since democracy was established after the US invasion. Panama has lots of problems, but the success, regardless of the outcome, of establishing a record of free, fair & competitive elections is a significant achievement.
Panama is holding a presidential election on Sunday while facing an odd situation: The most prominent player in the race is not on the ballot. https://t.co/AZrzQ7Zatz
Watch live: Polls open for Panama's presidential election https://t.co/8JqL3Qr2Vv