More bench hopping in search for next president
Panama’s turbulent political waters got another stir on the weekend with President Ricardo Martinelli saying there must be an alliance to win the 2014 election, and an opposition figurehead fingered as a possible party switcher.
At a Molirena party convetion in Peneome, he said that an alliance between the Democratic Change (CD) and Molirena would be enough to win the election, even if the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) forms an alliance with the Panameñista party.
Then up popped the name of Panameñista vice president and former Minister of Economy and Finance Alberto Vallarino, as a possible presidential candidate for the CD.
Martinelli said that the party has not decided on a candidate.
CD Vice President Aníbal Galindo said if Vallarino has aspirations to run as the candidate of the CD, Ihe must first register with the party.
Galindo, who still has not decided on a presidential run, said Vallarino will have to compete against current CD members who have expressed their wish to aspire to the presidential candidacy. The party will hold its primary in April.
Previously, former German Francisco, and Miguel Fanovich Vallarino Agreed That Sunday would be a "unifying" figure for the ruling alliance Between the CD and Molirena.
According to former Panameñista legislator Osman Gómez , Vallarino would attract support from all the major parties, Including the PRD Miguel Fanovich, who aspires to be a Molirena vice president said Vallarino said is a person who has the capabilitit to handle an alliance between related parties.
The Possibility of Vallarino jumping ship and running under the CD banner was raised last week by Minister of the Presidency Roberto Henriquez, who said the candidate would be "a figure of great potential."