(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Ricardo Martinelli is the most popular presidential contender in Panama, according to a poll by Ipsos published in Panamá América. 49 per cent of respondents would vote for the Democratic Change (CD) candidate in next month’s ballot.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Ricardo Martinelli is the most popular presidential contender in Panama, according to a poll by Ipsos published in Panamá América. 49 per cent of respondents would vote for the Democratic Change (CD) candidate in next month’s ballot.
Balbina Herrera of the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) is second 33 per cent, followed by former president Guillermo Endara of the Moral Vanguard of the Homeland (VMP) with three per cent.
PRD member Martín Torrijos—the son of Omar Torrijos, an army general who ruled Panama from 1968 to 1981—won the May 2004 presidential election with 47.44 per cent of the vote. His tenure included an ambitious plan to expand the Panama Canal with an investment of $5.25 billion U.S. In October 2006, the proposal was ratified in a nationwide referendum.
Martinelli, the owner of a major supermarket chain, portrays himself as a political outsider. Herrera served as housing minister in the current government.
In January, Martinelli and Juan Carlos Varela of the Panameñista Party (PPA)—who had consistently ranked as the third most popular presidential contender—formed an alliance. In February, Martinelli officially chose Varela as his running mate. The joint bid of the CD and PPA is supported by two other small opposition parties.
Earlier this month, Martinelli said he expected to win the contest, adding. "I feel that people have caught the message of change. On election day, the people will decide whether we continue [with the PRD] or switch to solve old problems, such as deficiencies in health care, education, transport, and now, public safety."
Polling Data
Who would you vote for in the next presidential election?
|
Apr. 19 |
Mar. 31 |
Mar. 3 |
|
|
Ricardo Martinelli (CD) |
49% |
46% |
51% |
|
Balbina Herrera (PRD) |
33% |
35% |
34% |
|
Guillermo Endara (VMP) |
3% |
3% |
2% |
|
None of these / Not sure |
15% |
16% |
13% |
Source: Ipsos / Panamá América
Methodology: Interviews with 3,014 Panamanian adults, conducted from Apr. 16 to Apr. 19, 2009. Margin of error is 2 per cent.
