Martinelli performance rating slides as public condemns infighting

For the first time in nearly three years in office, the work of President Martinelli, is rated by most Panamanians as "bad or "very bad", and another poll indicates that the public is tired of political  infighting.

The 55.5% of those interviewed in the latest poll by Unimer  and commissioned by La Prensa gave the thumbs down, with the bulk of the criticism of presidential work coming from people with primary education or less, of the economically inactive and those living in the central provinces.

In January, 48.6% of respondents had  identified Martinelli for  poor management.

43.2% Panamanian list the president's management qualities as "good" or "excellent" according to the survey conducted from May17 to 20   among 1,209 people, with a margin of error of plus or  minus 2.8%.

This is one of the worst scores obtained by the President since he took office in July 2009, winning with 60% of the vote.

The positive assessment of the management is more pronounced among people with college education, economically active people and those living in the provinces of Panama and Colon.

In March, 49.2% considered his management as  "excellent" or "good".

The perception of the work of the President has now reached  its lowest level since the historical ceiling in October 2009, with an acceptance of 85.9%.

The administration of Ricardo Martinelli has been involved in several corruption scandals in recent months, which according to political analysts has damaged its image although it has been a government that has done more public investment.

For example, the reorganization of the city roads involved investment of $500 million, $ 700 million for Phase III of the coastal strip and $ 57 million for the construction of the city hospital.

Among the scandals are the irregular land titling in Juan Hombrón, (currently  before the courts) and hiring training companies .for the program "My first job". There have also been revelations of Martinelli family involvement  with Valter Lavitola, under investigation in Italy for bribery and corruption and with a Panamanian law firm that created  maritime companies to ship illegal cargoes to Iran. The companies have been black listed by the U.S.

La Estrellahas published another poll showingthat  most Panamanians disagree with the political fights between President  Martinelli, and Vice President Juan Carlos Varela.

The results of, the latest survey conducted by Ipsos for Telemetro and Estrella, reveal that 44% of respondents think that neither political leader is right.

The figures underscore a rejection by  the electorate of the clashes between the two leaders.