A Panama Guide

The official transfer of leadership of the Panamanian government is now less than a month away.  Currently sitting President Martin Torrijos and member of the ruling PRD party are currently rushing too cross their final “t’s” and dotting their final “i’s” before the last remnants of their power slips away at 4 months and 10 months into power.

Back in 2004, the Panamanian Constitution was amended.  Their were several large changes such as the removal of the position of Second Vice-President (looks like Rubén Arosemena will be the last one) and most importantly the start date of new government was moved from a September 1 start date to July 1.

This however this did not stop the National Assembly from attempting to pay themselves for the extra two months of not working.  Considering legislators are paid handsomely above the general population – paying legislators two months of salary for sitting around and watching reruns on TV was not popular.  So much so that the Panamanian National Comptroller had to step in and say it would be illegal to pay legislators for working.  Nice try guys.

In the end, Panama gets a new president in Martinelli and gets to flush out some of the flotsam from its government a little earlier this time around.  Let’s hope Martinelli’s government won’t need a flushing in 5 years or earlier.