Panama a dictatorship – constitutionalist

Attacks on Panama’s electoral tribunal (TE) and the appointing of a new judge are part of a government plan to take over the institution and seek the immediate re-election of President Ricardo Martinelli says a leading constitutionalist.

Law professor Miguel Antonio Bernal, said on RPC Radio on Tuesday, September 25, that Panama has a dictatorship and everything regarding the appointment of new judge of the Tribunal (TE) and attacks on a current the judge, Erasmo Pinilla, are designed to require the Government to take over the institution and seek immediate re-election of the current president..

Bernal said that the choice of the person who will replace TE Judge the, Gerardo Solis, should be given back to the people. "There is no transparency, no channels are open for people who feel affected. or to know the nature, history and scope of people presenting documentation for that position within the TE. "These elements, allow all kinds of speculation, especially if one takes into account the high interference of the chief executive in the judiciary. Panama has entered a Constitutional mismatch that keeps us in a dictatorial regime. This is a dictatorship, I do not know why they call it differently, " he said.
According to the counsel, the court "does not have independence or autonomy" and-in the absence of public participation and transparency, the chosen person will be for "executive service".