Thread: Los Locos Somos MAS! Martinelli Wins!

Los Locos Somos MAS! Martinelli Wins! | Eye On Panama

If you have been eating beetles in the Darien for the past number of weeks, or perhaps have been in a self-induced coma, then you may not know what the rest of Panama already does- Martinelli won. Yes, he beat Balbina Herrera. The PRD is no longer in power, and we now get to watch as practically half of the entire federal government is fired from their jobs in order to make room for the new Presidente and his, ehem, ‘campaign contributors.’
Let me tell you this, folks, if you have anything really pressing that needs to be done anytime soon, and you have to work with the government to do it, I have some good and bad news for you- good, in that there is a firesale, and for the right (but less than before) motivation, you can get things done quickly; bad, in that if you do not get it done by September (when the switch takes place), it does not matter how you much you motivate them, they will have absolutely no idea how to help you. It is not the most efficient system when everyone that has experience gets kicked out, and for the next year-or-so, the country is run by ‘newbs’.
I really did not have much of a bias going into Sunday’s (the 3rd of May) election- all I knew was that most of the taxi drivers that I have spoken to about it wanted Martinelli to win, and that was good enough for me. Did it really matter who won? I guess that depends on who you talk to. One thing we know for sure- Martinelli won the Presidency with 60% of the vote. That has never been done in Panama before, and this election was one of the most one-sided victories (Balbina 35% / Martinelli 60%) that has every happened here.
Lets hope that Martinelli enacts policy that is good for both Panamanians and Ex-Patriots alike. Let us hope that he propigates tourism and trade, and that he holds strong against the pressure that the US and Europe is putting on tax-havens like Panama. Let us hope that he extends the 20-year property tax exemption on all new construction, and continues to invest in his country with infrastructure projects and social initiatives that continue to make Panama the country that I love to call home.
I love feedback, and your hopes and expectations for the Martinelli Presidency are encouraged. I would love to hear from those of you who supported Balbina, and what your thoughts are on her loss, as well as the upcoming administration.

Big deal !
Does it make a difference ? A resounding "NO."
After a five year term, the illiterate will still be illiterate and the poor will still be poor.
If you've been here long enough, you'll know how this government (and university system) is laden with bureaucracy. Same ol' hot air, but nothing gets done.
Martinelli ? It may as well be Snow White.