Ruling party still aiming for presidential re-lection bid

Although a previous proposal to change the constitution and allow presidential re-election in Panama didn’t get the the National Assembly, the government is forging ahead.

Minister of Labor, Alma Cortez said Sunday, January 23, on RPC TV, that the government will put to a referendum a constitutional reform that will include presidential re-election.

Cortez who is number 2 in the ruling Democratic Change (CD) party said that the re-election of a president would not be immediate; rather five years after the end of a first term.
The Panamanian Constitution now in place says the president can run for re-election every 10 years.
The possibility of immediate re-election of President Ricardo Martinelli, has caused friction among members of the ruling alliance particularly in the Panameñista party whose leader is Juan Carlos Varela, Panama’s Vice-President, who has already announced his presidential aspirations. Varela  made a deal with Martinelli when the alliance was formed, that he would have the next bite  at the presidential apple, but has yet to receive Martinelli's endorsement, raising fears that Martinelli wants to remain in office.
Miltón Henríquez, President of the Popular party, commenting on the referendum on re-election said:  "in the end, it will be made immediate to benefit Martinelli".
Cortez said that constitutional reforms will be presented to the Assembly this  year, although it shelved a similar proposal in December.