Authoritarianism under multiple attacks

Reactions to the “resignation” of Panama’s Mayor, Bosco Ricardo Vallarino continue, with concerns over  what is seen as a growing tendency to presidential authoritarianism.

Church leaders have expressed their concerns, civil groups and opposition politicians have called for a united front against the ruling party, and business leaders have reacted to attacks on their integrity and being called Pharisees by   President  Ricardo Martinelli.

Panamenista Party supporters believe that Vallarino was pressured to resign by Martinelli following a face to face confrontation earlier in the week. Vallarino gave health  as the reason for his sudden withdrawal from office, but confirmed  a stormy late night meeting with Martinelli in the presidential palace which led to him checking into hospital.

The  president of the opposition Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Francisco Sanchez Cardenas, said governing style of  Martinelli, is a step backwards in the country’s democratic system.

"The country is walking along a very dangerous avenue. The style of government of Ricardo Martinelli shows that we have had a decline in democracy," said Sanchez Cardenas on RPC Radio.

The opposition leader said that Panamanians have to find mechanisms to "try to avoid" the coming to power ofmore authoritarian governments."Today a Ricardo Martinelli, tomorrow may be something worse," he said. 

His statements come Saturday January 14, after the Panamanian Episcopal Conference called for a reorientation of the way government policy is enforced in Panama. Pablo Varela, secretary general of the  conference in Costa Del Este  read a statement calling for  the respect of the dignity of individuals and their rights and obligations and said “We are not safe from authoritarianism.

 The political leader welcomed the call made ??by the bishops.

According to Sanchez Cardenas, we must improve the legal and constitutional rule in the country, as this will avoid the most authoritarian governments that wield power.

Meeting  were under way through the weekend between party leaders, civilists and others with talk in the air of a linking of the Panamenista Party, headed by Vice President Juan Carlos Varela and the PRD. Until August 30, when Martinelli fired Varela from his post as Foreign Minister, the Panamenistas were part of the ruling coalition.

The honeymoon began to fall apart when Varela accused Martinelli of breaking promises made when the alliance was formed  over who would be the next presidential candidate. There were also strong disagreements over the Martinelli led CD (Democratic Change) party’s attempt to introduce a second round voting system in presidential elections, which opponents claimed was a ploy by the government to ensure the election of a CD candidate in 2014. Martinelli has denied that he wants a second term in office.