No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsLatin AmericaPanamanian Elections: Mulino Leads, but Voters Believe Martinelli Will Hold Power

Panamanian Elections: Mulino Leads, but Voters Believe Martinelli Will Hold Power

A recent poll conducted by the firm Doxa for the Panamanian Institute of Civic Studies and the radio station ArCa Media En Directo has revealed that a significant majority of Panamanians believe that former President Ricardo Martinelli will be the true power behind the scenes if opposition candidate José Raúl Mulino emerges victorious in the upcoming May 5 elections.

The survey, which was released on Monday, shed light on the public’s perception of Martinelli’s influence, despite his current asylum status in the Nicaraguan embassy and his efforts to avoid a prison sentence.

When asked the question, “In case Mulino wins the elections, who do you think will really be in charge in Panama?” a staggering 65% of respondents named Martinelli as the person who would genuinely govern the country from the shadows. This sentiment prevails even though Mulino, who was once Martinelli’s vice-presidential candidate, now leads the race with the highest voting intention at 34%.

The poll also indicated that center-right opposition lawyer Ricardo Lombana and former social-democratic President Martín Torrijos trail behind Mulino, with 15% and 13% of the voting intention, respectively.

Martinelli, who served as Panama’s president from 2009 to 2014, has been disqualified from directly competing in the elections due to a conviction that sentenced him to nearly eleven years in prison for money laundering.

However, this has not deterred the former right-wing governor from seeking asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy two months ago, following the judicial decision against him. From his place of refuge, Martinelli has been actively campaigning on social media in support of his protégé, Mulino.

Despite Mulino’s lead in the polls, he faces a significant legal obstacle. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a lawsuit against him, challenging his direct appointment as a presidential candidate by Martinelli. The controversy stems from the fact that Mulino did not go through his party’s primaries, which is a requirement stipulated in the electoral code. As of now, there is no announced date for the Court’s decision on this matter.

Interestingly, the poll also revealed that corruption is not a primary concern for Panamanian voters, even though Martinelli has a conviction and faces other legal troubles. Instead, the electorate’s main priorities lie in addressing issues such as unemployment, the rising cost of living, access to clean drinking water, insecurity, and the scarcity of medicines in the social security system.

This suggests that many Panamanians still support Martinelli, possibly due to a nostalgic remembrance of the economic prosperity the country experienced under his leadership.

The Doxa survey, which was conducted between April 4 and 10, involved a sample of 1,200 participants. The results have a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 2.8%, lending credibility to the findings that underscore the complex political dynamics and public sentiment surrounding the upcoming Panamanian elections.

Trending Now

Guatemala Makes History as They Face USA in Gold Cup Semifinal Showdown

Desperate to show progress under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States is looking to secure a return to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Wednesday...

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...

Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling

I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function....

Alligator Alcatraz: Trump’s Everglades Migrant Camp Draws Protests and Criticism

US President Donald Trump toured a new Florida migrant detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" on Tuesday, boasting about the harsh conditions and joking that...

Costa Rica’s Piangua Mollusk Threatened by Pineapple Farm Runoff

Costa Rica’s Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland, a 33,000-hectare haven of mangroves and rivers, is under siege from an unlikely source: pineapple farms. A study by...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica