PANAMA CITY – Jose Raul Mulino, the protege of a graft-convicted former head of state, was declared Panama’s president-elect after elections Sunday.
Mulino, 64, won the single-round, first-past-the-post race with more than a third of votes cast, the Central American country’s electoral tribunal said.
Moments earlier, runner-up Ricardo Lombana had conceded defeat.
The election coincided with the country’s struggle against corruption and a severe drought affecting the Panama Canal. Additionally, it faced challenges with U.S.-bound migrants traversing its jungles.
Many polling stations saw long lines as eligible voters cast their ballots. They elected a new president, parliament, and local governments to address pressing issues.
Opinion polls had shown right-wing lawyer Mulino far ahead of the pack of eight candidates.
But he was made to wait for a last-minute court decision Friday that finally validated his run.
Mulino replaced former President Ricardo Martinelli as the candidate for the right-wing Realizing Goals (RM) party after Martinelli lost an appeal against a money-laundering conviction.
The Supreme Court dismissed the complaint Friday, a ruling welcomed by Martinelli. Most Panamanians believe he’ll control from behind the scenes, as per a recent poll.
Panama has witnessed a significant political development as Mulino clinched the presidency, garnering support from a convicted former leader. This victory marks a turning point in the country’s political landscape, ushering in a new era under Mulino’s leadership. The electoral outcome reflects the intricate dynamics of Panamanian politics, where alliances and endorsements play a crucial role in shaping the electoral outcome.
Amidst this transformation, Panama Mulino Presidency takes center stage, ushering in a new era in the nation’s political narrative. Moreover, Mulino’s triumph raises pertinent questions about the intersection of power and legality in Panama’s political sphere.
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