Panama
National Assembly
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
04.05.2014
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
30.06.2014
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
71
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
408
The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
6
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
2,457,401
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
1,847,800
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
75.19%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The United for More Change coalition, comprising President Ricardo Martinelli's Democratic Change (CD) party, came first in the parliamentary elections, taking 32 seats in the 71-member National Assembly. The Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), led by Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro, followed with 25 seats. The People First coalition, including the Panamenista Party, took 13 seats.
Both the CD and the Panamenista Party were part of the Alliance for Change which supported Mr. Martinelli's presidency in 2009. However, the coalition split in 2011 and each party endorsed a separate presidential candidate in 2014.
Mr. Martinelli was constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term as President. The ruling CD endorsed former housing minister Mr. Jose Domingo Arias as its presidential candidate and First Lady Marta Linares, as his running mate. The People First coalition supported Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, while the PRD backed the former mayor of Panama City, Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro.
The United for More Change ran on the government's record, citing the country's economic growth and better infrastructure, including the recently-opened subway line in Panama City - the first in Central America. Mr. Arias promised to continue public works and social programmes. The Panamenista Party promised to establish a government of dialogue and national consensus and to improve the quality of life for all. Its leader pledged to fight corruption and inequality. The PRD promised to offer better education, including 10,000 scholarships to college students. PRD leader Navarro also proposed a tougher policy to tackle crime, including life sentences for murderers.
Mr. Varela (Panamenista Party) won the presidential elections and was sworn in on 1 July for a five-year term.
Both the CD and the Panamenista Party were part of the Alliance for Change which supported Mr. Martinelli's presidency in 2009. However, the coalition split in 2011 and each party endorsed a separate presidential candidate in 2014.
Mr. Martinelli was constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term as President. The ruling CD endorsed former housing minister Mr. Jose Domingo Arias as its presidential candidate and First Lady Marta Linares, as his running mate. The People First coalition supported Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, while the PRD backed the former mayor of Panama City, Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro.
The United for More Change ran on the government's record, citing the country's economic growth and better infrastructure, including the recently-opened subway line in Panama City - the first in Central America. Mr. Arias promised to continue public works and social programmes. The Panamenista Party promised to establish a government of dialogue and national consensus and to improve the quality of life for all. Its leader pledged to fight corruption and inequality. The PRD promised to offer better education, including 10,000 scholarships to college students. PRD leader Navarro also proposed a tougher policy to tackle crime, including life sentences for murderers.
Mr. Varela (Panamenista Party) won the presidential elections and was sworn in on 1 July for a five-year term.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
5
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
83.33%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
35.21%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Note on the alternation of power
the government coalition split before the 2014 elections)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) | 25 |
| Democratic Change (CD) | 20 |
| Democratic Change (CD) - MOLIRENA | 10 |
| Panamenista Party | 10 |
| Panamenista Party - People's Party (PP) | 3 |
| Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA) | 2 |
| Independents | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
46
Number of women elected
11
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
15.49%
Other notes
At the inaugural session held on 1 July 2014, 57 of the 71 members were sworn in. The results of the voting in 14 constituencies were being investigated by the Electoral Court.
The United for More Change coalition included the following parties.
- Democratic Change: 20 seats
- Democratic Change (CD) MOLIRENA: 10 seats
- Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA): 2 seats
The People First coalition included the following parties.
- Panamenista Party: 10 seats
- Panamenista Party - People's Party: 3 seats
The United for More Change coalition included the following parties.
- Democratic Change: 20 seats
- Democratic Change (CD) MOLIRENA: 10 seats
- Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA): 2 seats
The People First coalition included the following parties.
- Panamenista Party: 10 seats
- Panamenista Party - People's Party: 3 seats
Sources
National Assembly (02.07.2014, 06.07.2015)
Tribunal Electoral
Tribunal Electoral
Women Directly Elected
11
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
46
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
11
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
01.07.2014
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Adolfo
Valderrama
(Male)
Political party
Panamenista Party
Date of election
01.07.2014