Supermarket Mogul Leads All in Panama

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(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Businessman Ricardo Martinelli continues to hold a solid lead over his fellow presidential contenders in Panama, according to a poll by Ipsos published in Panamá América. 41 per cent of respondents would vote for Martinelli of the opposition Democratic Change (CD) in this year’s ballot, up two points since December.

Balbina Herrera of the governing Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) is second with 29 per cent, followed by Juan Carlos Varela of the Panameñista Party (PPA) with 12 per cent, and former president Guillermo Endara of the Moral Vanguard of the Homeland (VMP) with just one per cent. 17 per cent of respondents remain undecided.

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.

Earlier this month, the Liberal Party (PL) endorsed Herrera’s bid. PL leader Joaquín Fernando Franco announced the decision, saying, "We ratify our support for Balbina Herrera’s candidacy, as we consider her to be the best choice." The Popular Party (PP) has also endorsed Herrera.

The presidential election in Panama is scheduled for May 3.

Polling Data

Who would you vote for in the next presidential election?

Source: Ipsos / Panamá América
Methodology: Interviews with 1,200 Panamanian adults, conducted from Jan. 3 to Jan. 5, 2009. Margin of error is 3.2 per cent.