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Herrera Still Leads Martinelli in Panama
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Balbina Herrera of the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) is still the most popular presidential contender in Panama, according to a poll by Dichter & Neira released by TVN Noticias and Panamá América. 34.3 per cent of respondents would vote for Herrera in next year’s ballot.
Ricardo Martinelli of the Democratic Change (CD) is second with 28 per cent, followed by Juan Carlos Varela of the Panameñista Party (PPA) with 16 per cent, and former president Guillermo Endara of the Moral Vanguard of the Homeland (VMP) with 1.5 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. Torrijos’ tenure has been marked by his support for 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.
On Nov. 6, the VMP issued a communiqué to refute allegations that Endara is ailing. The statement read: "The presidential candidate (...) is in an excellent state of health and has been fully involved, with his team, in planning several meetings related to the political campaign that will begin in January 2009."
The next presidential election in Panama is scheduled for May 3, 2009.
Polling Data
Who would you vote for in the next presidential election?
|
Oct. 2008 |
Sept. 2008 |
Jul. 2008 |
|
|
Balbina Herrera (PRD) |
34.3% |
38.8% |
23.1% |
|
Ricardo Martinelli (CD) |
28.0% |
25.8% |
22.4% |
|
Juan Carlos Varela (PPA) |
16.0% |
16.7% |
22.5% |
|
Guillermo Endara (VMP) |
1.5% |
0.5% |
n.a. |
|
Juan Carlos Navarro (PRD) |
n.a. |
n.a. |
10.9% |
|
None of these / Not sure |
20.2% |
18.2% |
21.1% |
Source: Dichter & Neira / TVN Noticias / Panamá América
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Panamanian adults, conducted from Oct. 17 to Oct. 19, 2008. Margin of error is 2.9 per cent.