The opposition Alliance for Change candidate was elected the next president of Panama by a wide margin.
With 91% of the polling stations having been examined, Ricardo Martinelli had obtained 60.31% of the votes, followed by the official candidate of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Balbina Herrera, who had accumulated 37.33% and Guillermo Endara, who had received 2.35%.
The period for electoral propaganda ends today, just three days from the May 3 elections.
Panamanians will elect the successor to current President Martín Torrijos for the period 2009-2014.
Prensa.com reported: "The candidates for the Presidential Seat are: Ricardo Martinelli of the opposition Alliance for Change, the official candidate of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Balbina Herrera and former president Guillermo Endara, of Moral Vanguard for the Country (VMP)."
The results of the elections could marginally change a lot of things but they cannot significantly alter the direction of the country.
The country of the Canal has been the Central American powerboat in the last few years. High figures in sustained economic growth has caught the attention of the world, and with the upcoming electoral campaign, international analysts see the reasons for the Panamanian bonanza "as a successful conjunction of politics, governmental decisions, and stability in regulations."
It's Tuesday morning, just five days before the all important PRD primary election in Panama. You can almost feel the temperature rising...
The most important race to be decided is between the former Housing Minister Balbina Herrera and the Mayor of Panama City Juan Carlos Navarro. Both are running for the Presidency of the Republic and the winner of the PRD primary election on Sunday will represent the party in the general national elections in May 2009. Interestingly enough, the political fever is keeping the opposition guys vibrating as well.