“This one here is no one’s puppet (…) I am not here because someone put me in or because of someone’s finger,” said Mulino during his victory speech in a hotel in the capital, amid the joy of his followers.
Mulino, 64 years old, he won the presidency with 34% of the vote, nine points above his immediate followerthe lawyer Ricardo Lombana, 95% of polling stations were scrutinized in single-round elections.
Martinelli’s dolphin receives a country that suffers the attacks of deep-rooted corruptiona drought that reduced the transit of ships through the canal, the engine of its economy, and a wave of migrants crossing its dangerous Darien jungle on its way to the United States.
The elections were marked by the influence of Martinelli, who He appointed Mulino as his replacement when he was disqualified as a candidate by his party Realizing Goals (RM, the same acronym as his name) following confirming a sentence once morest him of almost 11 years for money laundering.
Minister of Security of the Martinelli government (2009-2014), visited his political godfather at the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been holed up since February to avoid prison.
VIDEO | José Raúl Mulino was elected the new president of Panama, he prevailed with a wide margin over his direct adversaries. pic.twitter.com/RqbYIefnhU
— EFE News (@EFEnoticias) May 6, 2024
His candidacy was endorsed by the court just two days before the vote, as it had been challenged for not having gone through primaries or having a vice president on the payroll. “I am not encouraged by a drop of revenge once morest anyone,” he said in this regard.
“Mission accomplished, damn (…), mission accomplished Ricardo (Martinelli)!”, proclaims the winner of the presidential elections in Panama, José Raúl Mulino, when celebrating his victory in the elections held this Sunday before his followers. pic.twitter.com/cksvzdFDQD
— EFE News (@EFEnoticias) May 6, 2024
In a day with a participation of more than 78%Panamanians also elected a president for the next five years, 71 deputies and local governments.
The government rules
A great unknown It is the role that Martinelli will play starting July 1 in the Mulino government.
Analysts see it as a possibility that offers safe passage to the 74-year-old former president to travel to Nicaragua or, even more, some kind of pardon.
“I respect the autonomy of each State organ, but it is up to the Executive, and it will be, to direct the destinies of the Panamanian nation” of the country, said Mulino.
With more than 87% of the votes counted, Mulino achieved 34.4% of the ballots, compared to 25% for Ricardo Lombana of the Otro Camino Movement, 16% for former president Martín Torrijos of the Popular Party, and 11.2%. by Rómulo Roux from Cambio Democrático.https://t.co/QTgFX8rQTH
— EFE News (@EFEnoticias) May 6, 2024
Despite the fact that the fatigue with corruption is palpable in the streets, Martinelli, Also accused of telephone spying and bribery from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, he enjoys popularity.
“Panama advanced. Whoever does not accept it is very scoundrel“Alberto Cedeño, a 41-year-old employee of the Colón free zone, told AFP, recalling the country’s economic boom during the Martinelli government, driven by large infrastructure works.
Thanks to that longing, Mulino always appeared in the polls well above his three immediate followersIn addition to Lombana, the former social democratic president Martín Torrijos (2004-2009), who obtained 16% on Sunday, and the former chancellor Rómulo Roux (12%).
“I am not encouraged by confrontations of any kind, but (…) national problems must be faced accordingly, without the slightest hint of fear,” he said.
“Huge problems”
Although the economy grew 7.3% in 2023, This year it will slow down to 2.5% according to the IMFhit by the drought that affects the canal and the closure of a copper mine following massive protests in defense of the environment.
“The problems are enormous“Mulino acknowledged.
Threatening its competitiveness, the canal reduced ship traffic due to low water levels; while the Canadian mining company, which generated 40 thousand jobs, began litigation to claim US$20 billion in compensation.
President Laurentino Cortizo, of the majority Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD, social democrat), leaves behind a fiscal deficit of 7.4%, a public debt of US$50 billion and a collapsed social security system.
“To our international creditors I send a message: this country will honor your debt and we will work to pay it to restructure it“said Mulino.
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