Panamanian general election, 2019

Panamanian general election, 2019
Election name	Panamanian general election, 2019
Country	Panama
Type	presidential parliamentary
Previous election	Panamanian general election, 2014
Previous year	2014
Next election	Panamanian general election, 2024
Next year	2024
Election date	5 May 2019

Panamanian general election, 2019 The Panamanian general election held on 5 May 2019 elected the President, representatives to the National Assembly (Panama), and municipal authorities for Panama. The contest featured major figures from the Democratic Revolutionary Party (Panama), Panameñista Party, Democratic Change (Panama), and smaller parties, with international attention from observers such as the Organization of American States and the United Nations Development Programme. The results saw a shift in legislative composition affecting relations with institutions like the Panama Canal Authority and impacting policy debates involving the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.

Background

Panama's 2019 election followed the presidency of Juan Carlos Varela and the administration's interactions with actors including Ricardo Martinelli, Martín Torrijos, and international figures such as Barack Obama and Iván Duque Márquez through regional summits. Domestic issues traced to controversies involving the Brazilian Operation Car Wash investigations, links to firms like Odebrecht and allegations previously associated with figures like Ernesto Pérez Balladares influenced public debate. Panama's strategic position near the Panama Canal and economic ties to hubs like Colón Free Zone and financial centers such as Panama City framed discussions on infrastructure projects including proposals resembling the Fourth Set of Locks of the Panama Canal and relationships with multinational corporations like Mollison Group and banks under scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force.

Electoral system

The President of Panama is elected by plurality for a five-year term under rules rooted in the Constitution of Panama (1972) as amended, with the Electoral Tribunal of Panama overseeing procedures and registration. The National Assembly uses a mixed electoral method with single-member districts and proportional representation in multi-member districts, applying formulas comparable to those seen in systems discussed by scholars at institutions like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and universities such as the University of Panama and Florida International University. Municipal elections for mayors and councilors follow local statutes administered by the Tribunal Electoral with observation by domestic groups like Asociación Panameña de Derechos Humanos and international monitors including the Organization of American States.

Candidates and parties

Major presidential contenders included the Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (Panama), Rómulo Roux of Democratic Change (Panama), and José Isabel Blandón of the Panameñista Party among others. Parties such as the Popular Party (Panama), Independent Movement (Panama), and newer movements like Movimiento Otro Camino fielded candidates and regional ticket-holders. High-profile political figures with prior roles in cabinets, legislative bodies, or provincial administrations—people associated with names like Ricardo Lombana, Eliécer Ávila, Saúl Méndez, and Balbina Herrera—featured on ballots and influenced alliance-building strategies. Campaign tickets involved running mates with experience from institutions such as the Ministry of Health (Panama), Ministry of Economy and Finance (Panama), and municipal administrations in places like David, Chiriquí and Colón, Panama.

Campaign

Campaign themes included anti-corruption narratives referencing cases connected to Odebrecht and demands for reform echoing proposals from civil society groups like Movimiento Otro Camino and trade unions such as the Confederación de Trabajadores de Panamá. Economic platforms referenced stakeholders including the Panama Stock Exchange, the Colón Free Zone, and the Panama Canal Authority, while security and migration debates evoked regional cooperation frameworks like the Central American Integration System and discussions with leaders such as Nicolás Maduro, Juan Guaidó, and Lenín Moreno on hemispheric affairs. Candidates toured provinces including Panamá Oeste, Veraguas, and Bocas del Toro and debated policies touching institutions like the Ministry of Public Security (Panama), the National Police of Panama, and educational bodies at the University of Panama.

Opinion polls

Polling by firms and media outlets such as La Prensa (Panama), TVN (Panama), and agencies linked to academic centers like FLACSO showed fluctuating support among candidates like Laurentino Cortizo, Rómulo Roux, José Isabel Blandón, and independent Ricardo Lombana. Surveys highlighted regional variations in districts such as San Miguelito District, Panamá District, and Santiago District in Veraguas Province, with analysts from think tanks like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Inter-American Dialogue commenting on turnout scenarios and vote transfer patterns typical of Panama's multiparty contests.

Election day and results

On 5 May 2019, the Electoral Tribunal of Panama reported voter turnout and tallied results that led to the victory of Laurentino Cortizo with plurality support, reshaping the makeup of the National Assembly (Panama). Results were certified amid observation by the Organization of American States, representatives from the European Union Election Observation Mission, and delegations from neighboring states including Costa Rica and Colombia. The outcome affected local mayoralties in municipalities like San Miguelito, Arraiján, and David and altered party representation for groups such as Democratic Change (Panama), Panameñista Party, and smaller parties aspiring to legislative committee assignments.

Aftermath and government formation

Following certification, transition talks involved outgoing officials linked to Juan Carlos Varela and incoming appointees coordinating with ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Panama), the Ministry of Public Works (Panama), and the Ministry of Health (Panama). Coalition-building in the National Assembly (Panama) required negotiations among factions associated with the Democratic Revolutionary Party (Panama), Panameñista Party, and Democratic Change (Panama), influencing confirmations for cabinet members and policy priorities relative to institutions like the Panama Canal Authority and international creditors such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Regional leaders and international partners, including delegations from United States Department of State, Embassy of China in Panama, and the European Union, acknowledged the transfer and engaged on issues from infrastructure projects to anti-money laundering cooperation with agencies like the Financial Action Task Force.

Category:Elections in Panama Category:2019 elections