Three PRD members have presidential ambitions

There are three members of the ruling Democratic Party (PRD) eying a run for the presidency. They are Vice President, José Gabriel Carrizo; the President of the Assembly, Crispiano Adames, and former President Martín Torrijos.

The one who would have the greatest support within the PRD, according to Minister of Housing and second vice president of the National Executive Committee (CEN) of the PRD, Rogelio Paredes, would be Carrizo, although he announced that to obtain the presidential candidacy, “he must win the primaries.”

Paredes declared that he is willing to support Carrizo and that he is not the only one: several “influential” PRD deputies, such as Benicio Robinson and Raúl Pineda, are also with the vice president. Representatives of the corregimiento with whom he has had contact would be added to that list, although Paredes did not provide their names.

In addition to the support that deputies and other government officials can give him, Carrizo has the backing of President Laurentino Cortizo.

“It is the first time that an outgoing president is handing over the coast [sic] to the one who can replace him. There has never been a situation like that.”

While former President Torrijos would be that “alternative” that the former PRD Secretary General, Pedro Miguel González, has mentioned stopping Carrizo’s candidacy.

Between February 27 and March 8, 2023, the PRD will open the application period to participate in the primaries. Before this, on January 22, the party will update its statute, “to be in accordance with the electoral norm.” So far it is unknown what aspects will be reformed.