Divisions continue in Panamas ruling coalition

While some politicians are optimistic about the future of Panama’s governing coalition, others are pointing to serious  divisions between the ruling parties.

The disappearance of the  leaders of the Democratic Change party (CD) and the Panameñistas  in the midst of political turmoil  has raised further concerns.

President Ricardo Martinelli and Vice-president Juan Carlos Varela, set off on a family jaunt on Friday evening, to an unknown destination, believed by some to be Wembley Stadium in London to watch Barcelona destroy Manchester United in the European Champion’s final.

Legislator Jose Luis "Popi" Varela, brother of the vice President said  that while he believed the alliance could jhold, moves being made by top CD officials were "bad political games," and said there were clearly issues between the two parties.

While he added that  the party would not be "rushing in search of a new alliance," Francisco Sánchez Cardenas president of the major opposition party, the Revolutionary democratic Pary (PRD) Francisco Sánchez Cardenas said Sunday that his party would not be opposed to joining a coalition.

Panama’s Minister of Housing, Panamanista Charles Dubois, said on TVN, Monday, that the  alliance between the governing parties continues. "It's not an issue of the Assembly."

But  "we would not have the aspiration to make an alliance with the Panameñismo or CD," he said Sunday, May 29

Cardneas said  President Ricardo Martinelli has been "personally" directing the actions that have put the government alliance in crisis mode.

 Meanwhile a committee of lawyers formed by the Panameñistas to review the proposed run off voting  procedure in presidential elections has told the party the measure is unconstitutional.

The legal team was appointed by Juan Carlos Varela, who also leads the Panameñista party

The team said that the reforms should be examined by the National Commission on Electoral Reforms, but the proposal is being debated in the National Assembly.