Panama Torrijos Up, Opposition Down
Amid the Christmas and New Year preparations, Panamanian President Martin Torrijos approaches the end of 2005 with high rates of popularity and a weakened opposition.

Polls released by The press daily revealed the president overcame the national crisis and strikes in May and June and counts now on support of 58.5 percent of the population.

The majority are pleased with his leadership of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, described as excellent or good, while the opposition is viewed as poor.

Surveys not only confirmed the success of the current administration after a year in power, but it pointed at the search for alternatives as a political counterpart of society.

President of Democratic Change Ricardo Martinelli, one of the loser in the last elections, recognized "the presidential regimen is very strong and controls the media."

Jesus Rosas, leader of the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement, referred to the possible risk a different way of opposition could bring about.

Expert Edwin Cabrera argued that the causes of Panamanians´ bad opinion of the opposition are related to the strong inter-party fights after the electoral defeat in 2004.

Traditional politicians, such as former Presidents Guillermo Endara, Ernesto Perez Balladares and Mireya Moscoso seem to lack both followers and credibility.

However, the National Front for Economic and Social Development considers the survey was manipulated because it also showed a great number of citizens rejecting the social platform proposed by the current administration.