Martinelli’s approval rating crashes and cabinet follows suit

The popularity of Panama’s president, Ricardo Martinelli, at the start of his second year in office has plunged from nearly 90 percent to close to 40 percent  according to the latest Ipsos poll, conducted for Channel 13 and Panama Telemetro America. 

According to Ipsos measurements the President’s already fast declining approval rating fell a further 20 percentage points between April and July.

Even two ministers had better approval ratings than the president in spite of numerous new project and spending announcements.

With the exception of for Social Development Minister, Guillermo Ferrufino, the rest of his Cabinet team has approval ratings below 50%. The survey conducted from 29 July to 2 August to 1,200 people revealed that over 50% of the ministers of state have less than 30% acceptances.

The research, which has a margin of error of 2.8%, showed that the least popular Cabinet members were Security Mnister, Jose Raul Mulino, and Labor Minister Alma Cortez, both of whose firings have been called for by many groups since the confrontations in Bocas del Toro resulting in at least 2 deaths and hundreds injured, many seriously.

The only people who added some points  in May were William Ferrufino, Juan Carlos Varela and F. Suarez.

Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino, was the worst performer. With 45% of Panamanians considered his conduct poor or very poor, followed by the, Alma Cortez, with 43% rejection.

Others with high disapproval ratings were  Solomon Shamah, Tourism, with 38%, Alberto Vallarino, Economy and Finance, 32% and Guiselle Burillo, Small and Medium Enterprises, with a 31% disapproval rating.
Panama America quotes former Vice President Bily Ford as saying:. "The President must slow down and be more consistent with what he says.

Aurelio Barria, entrepreneur said "This reflects that the community is confused with the management of public affairs, mainly on issues related to justice. “.

Bishop Pablo Morales, said: "Once elected rulers forget to take into account the needs of the people. Power is not to do what one wants but to solve the problems. "  {jathumbnail off}