Politics of Panama
Politics of Panama takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Panama is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The branches are according to Panama's Political Constitution of 1972, reformed by the Actos Reformatorios of 1978, and by the Acto Constitucional in 1983, united in cooperation and limited through the classic system of checks and balances. Three independent organizations with clearly defined responsibilities are found in the Political Constitution. Thus, the Comptroller General of the Republic has the responsibility to manage public funds. There also exists the Electoral Tribunal, which has the responsibility to guarantee liberty, transparency, and the efficacy of the popular vote; and, finally, the Ministry of the Public exists to oversee interests of State and of the municipalities.
Executive branch
Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Martín Torrijos PRD 1 September 2004
First Vice President Samuel Lewis 1 September 2004
Second Vice President Rubén Arosemena Valdés 1 September 2004
The executive branch includes a president and two vice presidents. The president and the vice-presidents are elected on one ballot for a single non-renewable five year term by the people.
Legislative branch
The legislative branch consists of a unicameral National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) with 78 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat and multi-seat constituencies.
Judicial branch
The Judicial Organ administers justice in a permanent, free, and expeditious manner. It comprises the Supreme Court of Justice, the Tribunals, and the judges established by law, according to the Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama (title VII, Chapter 1).
Electoral branch
An autonomous Electoral Tribunal supervises voter registration, the election process, and the activities of political parties. Everyone over the age of 18 is required to vote, although those who fail to do so are not penalized.
Some background
In Panamanian history, the dominant parties have been the PRD and the Panameñista (former Arnulfista Party). These parties were founded by very charismatic and strong political enemies, Omar Torrijos (PRD) - the (deceased) father of the current president, Martín Torrijos - and Arnulfo Arias (Panameñista/Arnulfista) - late husband of the previous president, Mireya Moscoso -. Even though these leaders died years ago, their "aura" is always revived by its followers, and they are present in every election.
Panamanian politics have been historically very corrupt. Lately, the Panamanian society and press have gotten tired of this and are auditing and fighting for improvements. A sign of this is the lack of young vote in the 22/10/06 Referendum, showing a lack of confidence in Panama Politics ways and PoliticiansSOURCE. However, the country's socialist/worker parties are not popular due to their history as in Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia.
List of political parties in Panama
Panama has a multi-party system. Although there are two major parties, no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments.
The parties
Parliamentary parties
* Partido Revolucionario Democrático (Democratic Revolutionary Party)
* Partido Panameñista (Panameñista Party)
* Partido Vanguardia Moral de la Patria (Fatherland's Moral Vanguard Party)
* Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista (Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement)
* Cambio Democrático (Democratic Change)
* Partido Popular (People's Party)
* Partido Unión Patriótica (Patriotic Union Party)
Other parties
* Civic Renewal Party
* Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) of Panama
* National Renovation Movement
* November 29 National Liberation Movement
* People's Party of Panama
* Socialist Workers Front (marxist-leninist)
