Time running out for Panama opposition electoral alliance

WITH ONLY six days left for electoral alliances to be officially declared and there seems to be little likelihood that the main opposition parties will unite.

That, say some political pundits, including those within the PRD, and Panameñista parties seems to set Jose Domingo Arias, on a straight path to the presidential palace, although the CD is vastly outnumbered by the combined opposition.

While the Panameñista party and its presidential candidate has enlisted the support of the Partido Popular the PRD has yet to make any move toward unifying the front against the ruling CD although its candidate has said he will “do anything” to defeat the CD front runner, but so far Varela has remained frosty to an alliance. A reflection perhaps of his disastrous deal with Ricardo Martinelli, with promises of support for the 2014 election after Martinelli had completed his term.
Similarly, the Broad Front for Democracy (FAD) has not looked to join any other parties, instead saying its candidate, Genaro López, has "an alliance with the people."
"We are going with our candidate whose proposals are completely different from the traditional parties," said Maribel Gordón, vice president of the FAD.
The CD will again have an alliance with the Molirena party as they did in 2009.
CD leaders said Sunday that it is doubtful that any other alliances will be formed before the Dec. 28 deadline.
A week is a long time in politics, but with the clock ticking down, the happiest man in the presidential stakes must be Arias. That of course could turn around if voters unite in saying “anyone but the Martinelli candidate.”