Mulino, stand-in for former president barred from running, leads Panama presidential vote count
PANAMA CITY (AP) — José Raúl Mulino, the stand-in for disqualified ex-President Ricardo Martinelli in Panama’s presidential election, took the lead in early returns Sunday night, holding 34% of the votes and a nearly 10-point lead over his four competitors.
Though only 60% of the votes had been counted, supporters in Mulino’s campaign headquarters erupted in celebration, singing and waving flags. Panama doesn’t have a runoff system, so the candidate with the biggest share of votes wins.
Eager for change after months of political turmoil and protests, Panamanians weighed promises of economic prosperity and migratory crackdowns against a corruption scandal. The election was consumed by unfolding drama surrounding the country’s former president, even though he was not on the ballot.
“Panama’s election will be one of the most complex in its modern history. The vote is marked by increased political fragmentation and social discontent under outgoing President Laurentino Cortizo,” said Arantza Alonso, senior analyst for the Americas at the risk consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft, before the polls opened.