Government and Politics of Panama

Government Type

constitutional democracy

Administrative Divisions

9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas

Legal System

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Jose Raul MULINO Carrizo (since 1 July 2024); Vice President Raisa BANFIELD Porcell (since 1 July 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Raul MULINO Carrizo (since 1 July 2024); Vice President Raisa BANFIELD Porcell (since 1 July 2024); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 5 May 2024 (next to be held May 2029); note - Panama has one vice president election results: Jose Raul MULINO Carrizo elected president; percent of vote - Jose Raul MULINO Carrizo 34.3%, Ricardo LOMBANA 24.0%, Martin TORRIJOS Espino 15.8%, Romulo ROUX 11.4%, others 14.5% note: ruling party - RM (Realizando Metas)

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly) or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in 2009, the number of seats will change to 71 elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, CD 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5 note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal

Political Parties

Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hugo GUIRAUD]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly the Arnulfista Party) [Marco AMEGLIO]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ricardo ARIAS Calderon]; Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]

Head of State

President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal

Head of Government

President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

Elections

president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice president must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held on 3 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

Election Results

Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal 60%, Balbina HERRERA 38%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 2% note: government coalition - CD (Democratic Change), Panamenista, MOLIRENA (Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement), and UP (Patriotic Union Party) note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party), PP (Popular Party)

Constitution

11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994

Independence

3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

International Organization Participation

FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Arias chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador William A. EATON embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City 5 mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002 telephone: [507] 207-7000 FAX: [507] 227-1964

Capital City

Panama City

Location

8 58 N, 79 32 W

Time Difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

according to tradition, the name derives from a former fishing area near the present capital - an indigenous village and its adjacent beach - that were called "panama" meaning "an abundance of fish"

U.S. Embassy Panama Physical location: Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas, Building No.783 in the Clayton section of Panama City. International mailing address: Apartado 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama, Republic of Panama. U.S. mailing address: U.S. Embassy Panama, 9100 Panama City Place, Washington, DC 20521-9100. Telephone: (011) 507-317-5000 or (011) 507-317-5030 from the U.S., 317-5000 or 317-5030 from Panama Emergency after-hours telephone: (011) 507-317-5000 from the U.S., 317-5000 from Panama Facsimile: (011) 507-317-5568 or (011) 507-317-5303 (317-5568 or 317-5303) You may also send the Embassy inquiries by e-mail to panama-acs@state.gov

Military Branches

no regular military forces; Panamanian Public Security Forces (subordinate to the Ministry of Public Security), comprising the National Police (PNP), National Air-Naval Service (SENAN), National Border Service (SENAFRONT)