Panama Readies 2009
Elections
PANAMA - Panama is
setting the May 2009
general elections based
on adjustments made by
some political
organizations and the
official list of
candidates.
According to Election
Court information, the
membership of the nine
Panama political parties
(eight legal and one
being formed) closed on
September with 1,317 620
people.
The pro-governmental PRD
(Democratic
Revolutionary Party) is
ahead with 676, 764
people registered and
Balbina Herrera as
presidential candidate,
followed by the
Panamenista with
262,686.
Democratic Change is in
the third position with
129,007 people
registered and Ricardo
Martinelli as
presidential candidate.
Union Patriotica
(92,837), Movimiento
Liberal Republicano
Nacionalista (59,173),
Vanguardia Moral de la
Patria (36,766), the
Popular (35,956) and the
Liberal (23,522)
complete the list of
candidates to 2009
general elections.
Alternativa Popular is
being formed and had 909
affiliates by the end of
August 2008.
Regarding economy, the
government announced
adjustments in fuel
prices until October 22
as a policy to aid
domestic market
consumers.
Energy Secretary Dani
Kuzniecky said there was
a suspension of a $6
million subsidy brought
to bear 15 days ago to
stop the rise in fuel
prices.
Panama economy is
expected to grow a 9.5
percent in 2008 and
chances are it will
reach the 7.5 percent in
2009.
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