Elections and Strike
Looming in Panama
The efforts of the two
main opposition forces
to head an alliance in
the May 2009 elections
centered the focus of
the media in Panama,
engaged in the heat o
fan election campaign.
Meanwhile, the
government´s attention
concentrated in its
social assistance
programs, with the
delivery of a special
bonus worth 60 dollars
to retirees, the repair
of two old apartment
buildings and aid to
poor peasants and
others.
President Martín
Torrijos assured he
would keep up the
struggle against poverty
until the end of his
mandate on June 30,
2009, despite opposers
acuse him of paternalism
and election
opportunism.
Trade unions, student,
peasant, social and
other organizations
grouped in the Nacional
Front for the Defense of
Economic and Social
Rights (FRENADESO)
continued the
econsultations to define
the date for a general
strike.
Demands are freezing and
cut in prices of family
basket products to
reduce the high cost of
living, a general raise
in salaries and
improvements in
education and health.
As for elections, this
week two alliances
between the opposition
parties, headed by
businessman Ricardo
Martinelli of Cambio
Democratico and Juan
Carlos Varela, of
Panameñista became
evident.
Over the last few days,
Varela and his followers
engaged in healing
wounds left by the
party´s campaign
primaries, held on July
6, amidst statements
that they maintain open
doors. |
