Two thirds see Martinelli as danger to democracy – poll

Almost two thirds of the Panamanian population perceives that the President, Ricardo Martinelli  as  a danger to democracy.

65% of those surveyed by the firm Unimer believe that the Panamanian leader is a danger to democracy, while only 19.3% said democracy was guaranteed. The rest -15.7% –  gaveno answer.  The report was published in La Prensa

The household survey, face to face, was applied to 1,209 thousand adult, residents throughout the country except the province of Darien and the indigenous regions. It took place from May17 to 20 May, and has a margin of error of 2.8%.

Those who most believe that the President is a threat are the inhabitants of Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui, those living in rural and supporters of the Democratic Revolutionary Party and Molirena. Also in the general election of 2009 voted for the PRD candidate Balbina Herrera.

In contrast, 19.3% who considered Martinelli a guarantee for democracy receives a monthly family income of $800 or more, living in urban areas in the provinces of Panama and Colon, are sympathetic to the ruling Democratic Change party and voted for him in 2009 .

In late March, a survey of Unimer found that 58% of the population felt that the Martinelli government is dictatorial 36% thought democratic. In another Unimer survey held last January, 7 in 10 people felt that democracy was in danger and that Martinelli is an authoritarian president.