Panama to elect new president to fix economy, stop corruption

PANAMA CITY: Panamanians braved scorching heat on Sunday to vote in a general election to pick the next president in an eight-person race where much of the attention has been focused on a corruption-tainted former leader holed up in Nicaragua’s embassy.

Following weeks of campaign events that featured catchy reggaeton songs and popular entertainers, over 3 million voters are expected to decide who is best placed to fix Panama’s pressing economic problems, tackle corruption and restore the country’s reputation as an investment haven. Many voters arrived early to avoid the stifling heat across the small Central American nation that reached 32 degrees Celsius in the capital.

Jose Raul Mulino, a former minister who replaced popular ex-President Ricardo Martinelli on the ballot after Martinelli was barred from running due to a money laundering conviction, is leading in opinion polls.

Mulino has promised to usher in prosperity and to keep out of jail Martinelli, who has played a key role in the elections from within the walls of Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City.

Nicaragua granted the former leader asylum, but Panamanian authorities have blocked him from leaving the country. Mulino visited Martinelli at the embassy after casting his vote.

Romulo Roux, in his second bid to win the presidency, and ex-President Martin Torrijos have alternated between second and third place. Trailing closely behind is Ricardo Lombana, who also ran in the past election, and current Vice President Jose Gabriel Carrizo.

Many Panamanians streaming out of voting stations cited graft as one of their main concerns.

“I want people with fresh ideas in government to change the face of my country,” said Nelson Cedeno, 26, a medical student who backed Lombana, hoping for a “better future without corruption”.