Panama

National Assembly

Political system: Presidential system
Structure of parliament: Unicameral
IPU membership: Yes

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): 04 May 2014
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 30 Jun 2014
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake: 71
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: 6
Total number of candidates: 408
The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.: Yes

Voter turnout

Registered voters: 2,457,401
Voters: 1,847,800
Voter turnout: 75.2%

Results

About 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.
Number of parties winning seats: 5
Percentage of parties winning seats: 83.3%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition: 35.2%
Alternation of power after elections: Not applicable

Parties or coalitions winning seats

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: 19.3%
Women Directly Elected: 11
Other notes on the elections: 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
Sources: National Assembly (02.07.2014, 06.07.2015)

Tribunal Electoral

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 46
Total number of women after the election: 11
Percentage of women after the election: 19.3%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 01 Jul 2014

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Adolfo Valderrama (Male)
Political party: Panamenista Party
Date of election: 01 Jul 2014