Panama says NO to Martinelli reelection: poll

A large majority of Panamanians were against the re-election of President Ricardo Martinelli even before the  resignation of the head of the constitutional committee over a brewing scandal, according to a poll.

Whichever way the question was put, the answer was a resounding "no" Some  65 percent of those surveyed by Unimer for La Prensa said no to immediate reelection, and an estimated 60 percent said no to cutting the current 10 years prohibition period for reelection in half.

And even if the current government  succeeds in reforming the Constitution to allow presidential re-election, either way, the  majority of respondents (52.9 percent and 50 percent, respectively) said  they would not vote for the current president. {jathumbnail off}

Only 33 percent of the survey respondents said they would vote for the re-election of the current president, if an immediate reelection were possible. That percentage goes up a few points (35.7 percent) if Martinelli were to run for office again in 2019.

The survey was conducted between March 17-21 throughout the country, with the exception of the province of Darien and the indigenous regions.

Italo Antinori, the head of the constitutional committee  resigned on  March 25, after  published allegations that he headed a cabal of lawyers and judges in a conspiracy to get rid of former Attorney General, Ana Matilde Gómez.
Meanwhile President Martinelli, says he is in no particular hurry to make amendments to the Constitution.

In a move to soften growing public concerns about the administration’s aims he said on TVN:  "We will listen to everybody; there is no rush; everyone should show up and get involved," and added that he already has several people in mind to replace Antinori.

"I dare not advance any names now, but don’t worry, we have all the time in the world to seek out the best of the best, who will make a real difference."

Later in the day he told media that he  will meet with the three former presidents of the country this Wednesday, March 30.

He made the announcement during  an the extraordinary convention of the Cambio Democrático (Democratic Change) party, the Panama Hotel.

The meeting with the former presidents, presumably over lunch will commence at around 1 p.m. in the presidential dining room of the presidential palace.

"I've made mistakes; I've done good things and bad. All former presidents have," said Martinelli. "But we all have experiences that can contribute a lot towards improving government and making this a better country."

One of the former presidents, Ernesto Perez Balladares is awaiting trial on money laundering charges, and is the subject of a second investigation.

Former president Martin Torrijos is part of an investigation into an alleged bribery scandal, which supporters believe is politically motivated.