WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Abuse of power and erosion of democracy
La Prensa June 5
In light of recent developments in both the National Assembly and the Supreme Court of Justice, with the dismissal of the prosecutor Ana Matilde Gomez and the appointment of two judges by the president the predictions made by the former U.S. ambassador Barbara Stephenson -in reports leaked by WikiLeaks – on the weakness of democracy in Panama and the enormous risk of abuse of power, could not have been more accurate.
From day one, when Martinelli, wearing the presidential sash, announced to the world that he would rule with "firmness" but "without finesse,” the alarms were activated.
And thereafter, the ominous signs multiplied,
Cables exposed the pressures on the legislative and judicial bodies as well as prosecutors..
The U.S. embassy, saw clearly that Martinelli would be a difficult partner and decided to keep a safe distance.
The apprehensions of the U.S. embassy staff, led by former Ambassador Stephenson,were based on the dangerous combination formed by coupling the strong personality of the president with what they perceived as his lack of commitment to the 'rule of law "in a society in which the Executive has superpower plus the popularity of a President electedwith 62% of the vote.
These elements, interpreted Stephenson, "have enormous potential to erode Panama's democratic institutions."
