Jose Raul Mulino, a stand-in candidate for former President Ricardo Martinelli, has won Panama’s presidential elections. He secured more than a third of the votes cast in the country of 4.4 million people. Mulino, a former security minister, entered the race late after Martinelli was removed from power due to corruption. The new leader faces challenges such as government corruption, a severe drought affecting the Panama Canal, and a high number of US-bound migrants passing through the country’s jungles.
Running on the ticket of the Achieving Goals and Alliance parties, Mulino had led opinion polls ahead of the vote by emphasizing his connections to Martinelli. The former president, who was set to run with Mulino as his deputy, was barred from running due to a money laundering conviction. Despite this, Martinelli remained influential in the race, campaigning for Mulino from inside the Nicaraguan embassy where he took refuge after receiving political asylum. Mulino expressed gratitude to Martinelli after his win, acknowledging the former president’s support.
More than 77 percent of eligible voters participated in the election, electing a new president, parliament, and local governments for the next five years. Anticorruption candidate Ricardo Lombana placed second behind Mulino, with former President Martin Torrijos and former chancellor Romulo Roux conceding defeat. Mulino, who will serve as head of state and prime minister for a single term, is set to take office on July 1 after a last-minute Supreme Court decision validated his candidacy to stand in for Martinelli.
Mulino has promised to boost the economy and tackle issues such as government corruption, the Panama Canal drought, and migration challenges. Critics have raised concerns about high income inequality, declining foreign investment, and high public debt under the term of the outgoing President Laurentino Cortizo. The country faced protests last year over government concessions to operate a copper mine that many believe endangers water sources. Drought has further impacted trade transit through the Panama Canal, with GDP growth forecasted to slow in the coming years.
Mulino’s win is seen as a possible return to strong economic growth, but many believe that Martinelli will continue to play a significant role behind the scenes. The new leader will also have to address migration issues as hundreds of thousands of migrants pass through the country, facing risks of exploitation and physical danger. With unemployment close to 10 percent, Mulino faces the challenge of addressing income inequality and fostering economic growth during his term in office.
