In the statement, the three groups explain that the decision is due to the situation the country is currently in, which is why they are trying to provide voters with options for decent and transparent people who strengthen democracy.
They also pointed out that the candidates nominated by this coalition must respect commitments such as reforming the rules of procedure of the National Assembly (Parliament) and not promoting transfers of budget items for political or clientelistic purposes.
The principles established also include promoting legal provisions on transparency and accountability, as well as cutting the legislative budget to a third of what is foreseen for 2023 and foregoing funds from parallel decentralization.
They must also be accountable to the community for the use of funds and strictly follow the rules for citizen consultations on planned works and projects.
The day before, as the phase of formalization of alliances came to an end, the groups Democratic Change (CD) and Panameñista confirmed that they will join forces to support the presidential formula of Rómulo Roux and José Isabel Blandón.
The ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party, in turn, will have its traditional ally in the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement supporting José Gabriel Carrizo and Camilo Alleyne.
In the case of Realizing Goals, it was one of the first organizations to announce Alianza’s support to defend the candidacy of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014), who in turn presented his wife Marta Linares as Alianza’s candidate for vice-presidency of the Republic.
According to the current electoral norm, alliances are formed between parties, while agreements can be made with coalitions and freely nominated candidates, but all must register with the General Secretariat of the Electoral Tribunal
In this sense, the Social Independent Alternative Party (PAIS) of José Álvarez decided to support the presidential candidate, the lawyer Melitón Arrocha, through free nomination.
The Other Path Movement, whose presidential candidate is Ricardo Lombana, also announced that it would support independents from the Vamos coalition seeking other elected positions.
More recently, the independent movement Panama Posible has expressed its support for the project of former Panamanian President Martin Torrijos (2004-2009), who is the Popular Party’s candidate for the Palacio de las Garzas (seat of the executive branch).
On May 5, 2024, Panamanians will vote in elections to determine the country’s new president and vice president, 20 members of the Central American Parliament and 71 members of the National Assembly.
The vote also elects 81 mayors, 701 municipal representatives and 11 city councilors, all with their respective deputies, for the period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029.
ode/ga