Mulino wins Panama presidency!
Panama City, May 5 (EFE).-
The last-minute stand-in candidate for Panama’s presidency, José Raúl Mulino, swept to a clear victory in Sunday’s election after his three closest rivals conceded victory.
“Mission accomplished, damn it (…) mission accomplished Ricardo (Martinelli),” said Mulino, 64, referring to the popular ex-leader who he stepped in to replace after Martinelli was barred from running when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering.
With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, Mulino obtained around 35 percent, with anti-corruption candidate Ricardo Lombana trailing with 25 percent, followed by former president Martín Torrijos (16 percent) and former candidate Rómulo Roux (11 percent). All three conceded defeat.
“I am not encouraged by confrontations of any kind,” said Mulino, assuring that he will seek political consensus and that he will promote “a pro-private business government” without forgetting the most needy.
In his victory speech, the former security minister declared himself a “conciliator,” but “nobody’s puppet” and that he will assume the top job without “a drop of revenge against anyone.”
He was energetic in his speech when he said that in his government “the political persecution is over, the manipulation of the Public Ministry is over, the manipulation of judges and magistrates is over.”
Holed up in the Nicaraguan embassy where he sought asylum, Martinelli passed his presidential candidate position to Mulino after he was barred from running, but that candidacy was not ratified by the Supreme Court of Justice until last Friday – two days before the election – following a claim of unconstitutionality as Mulino did not appear in the primaries or have a vice president.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Mulino also took advantage of the moment to demand respect from journalists and media owners, although at the same time promised reciprocity towards the union, saying “there will be a president who respects freedom of expression at all costs.”
He added that those who gave him the vote “are not hiring a circus manager” and he is going to be a “real president and not a TikTok dancer and teller of stories.”
The incoming leader promised to create a government focused on seeking a better Panama for Panamanians.
“We will promote a pro-investment, pro-private enterprise government, but without forgetting those who are hungry, those who want a job and those who need drinking water throughout the country every day,” he said.
He acknowledged that “very big challenges” lie ahead but that he will face them with determination and leadership, which is “what is missing in this country.”
“The problems are enormous, but I have all the will in the world to put them into motion and make the decisions that this country is waiting for in the coming months,” he stressed.
Mulino announced that he has already spoken with outgoing President Laurentino Cortizo about the transition process. EFE
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