Panama's Mulino: the President-Elect Determined to Establish His Unique Legacy

Panama's president-elect, Mulino, is poised to carve out a distinctive legacy as he prepares to take office. With a clear determination to make impactful changes, Mulino aims to leave a lasting imprint on the nation's political landscape and address key issues facing Panama.

Just after winning Sunday's general election, Panama's President-elect Jose Raul Mulino addressed a jubilant crowd, asserting his independence by stating, "I am no one's puppet." Mulino entered the race unexpectedly, replacing his former boss Ricardo Martinelli, who was disqualified from running due to a money laundering conviction.

Mulino, known for his blunt demeanor and less charm compared to the popular ex-president Martinelli, secured victory largely due to Martinelli’s residual popularity. Previously, as security minister in Martinelli's government from 2009 to 2014, Mulino was recognized for his firm approach to anti-government demonstrators.

Martinelli, who was leading in polls before his disqualification in March, supported Mulino's campaign from the Nicaraguan embassy, where he sought asylum post-conviction.

Despite being in Martinelli's shadow, dubbed "El Loco" or The Crazy Man for his eccentric behavior, Mulino successfully leveraged this image, even adopting "Martinelli is Mulino and Mulino is Martinelli" as a campaign mantra. Yet, leading without Martinelli might pose new challenges.

In his victory speech in Panama City, Mulino pledged to enhance the financial well-being of Panamanians, construct a public pet hospital, and build a major train line, stating, “I don't laugh much, but I know how to get things done.”

He committed to collaborating with the private sector to stimulate the economy while ensuring the underprivileged are not forgotten, aiming to unify the nation and set aside political differences to concentrate on governance.

Mulino, who garnered around 34% of the Panamanian vote, had previously served as deputy foreign minister in the 1990s under President Guillermo Endara after the U.S. invasion in December 1989, which removed dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega.

Noriega, who led Panama from 1983 to 1989 and was a former U.S. intelligence asset, was ousted due to his criminal activities, prompting a civil crusade in Panama, in which Mulino participated.

On election night, Mulino referred to Martinelli as a “dear friend,” having earlier vowed to help him evade imprisonment, but quickly shifted focus to his own plans for the country.

Mulino, a married father of four, has been media-shy, avoiding presidential debates and giving limited interviews. In a rare public comment, he addressed ongoing disputes with teachers' unions by affirming government authority, which some deemed arrogant.

After his tenure with Martinelli, Mulino faced accusations of embezzlement linked to a radar sales contract, leading to a brief detention, but the charges were eventually dropped.

His eligibility for candidacy was also challenged this year, with claims that his party did not officially nominate him and he lacked a vice-presidential candidate, but Panama’s supreme court ruled in his favor shortly before the election.

Source: Reuters