| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Asamblea Nacional / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
4 May 2014 |
| Purpose of elections |
The United for More Change coalition, comprising President Ricardo Martinelli's Democratic Change (CD) party, came first in the parliamentary elections, taking 32 seats in the 71-member National Assembly. The Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), led by Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro, followed with 25 seats. The People First coalition, including the Panamenista Party, took 13 seats.
Both the CD and the Panamenista Party were part of the Alliance for Change which supported Mr. Martinelli's presidency in 2009. However, the coalition split in 2011 and each party endorsed a separate presidential candidate in 2014.
Mr. Martinelli was constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term as President. The ruling CD endorsed former housing minister Mr. Jose Domingo Arias as its presidential candidate and First Lady Marta Linares, as his running mate. The People First coalition supported Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, while the PRD backed the former mayor of Panama City, Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro.
The United for More Change ran on the government's record, citing the country's economic growth and better infrastructure, including the recently-opened subway line in Panama City - the first in Central America. Mr. Arias promised to continue public works and social programmes. The Panamenista Party promised to establish a government of dialogue and national consensus and to improve the quality of life for all. Its leader pledged to fight corruption and inequality. The PRD promised to offer better education, including 10,000 scholarships to college students. PRD leader Navarro also proposed a tougher policy to tackle crime, including life sentences for murderers.
Mr. Varela (Panamenista Party) won the presidential elections and was sworn in on 1 July for a five-year term. |
Date of previous elections: 3 May 2009
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 30 June 2014
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: May 2019
Number of seats at stake: 71 (full renewal)
Number of candidates: 408
Percentage of women candidates: Not available.
Number of parties contesting the election: 6
Number of parties winning seats: 5
Alternation of power: N/A (the government coalition split before the 2014 elections)
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 1 July 2014
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Adolfo Valderrama (Panamenista Party) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 4 May 2014 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
2'457'401
1'847'800 (75.19%)
|
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% |
|
|
| Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Change (CD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Change (CD) - MOLIRENA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Panamenista Party |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Panamenista Party - People's Party (PP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Independents |
|
|
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|
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|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) |
25
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Change (CD) |
20
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Change (CD) - MOLIRENA |
10
|
|
|
|
|
| Panamenista Party |
10
|
|
|
|
|
| Panamenista Party - People's Party (PP) |
3
|
|
|
|
|
| Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA) |
2
|
|
|
|
|
| Independents |
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
46
11
19.30%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
National Assembly (02.07.2014, 06.07.2015)
http://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/html/fileadmin/user_upload/Elecciones/elecciones-2014/Graficas_02_-_Diputado.pdf
http://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/html/fileadmin/user_upload/Elecciones/elecciones-2014/Cuadro_04_-_Diputado_PP.pdf
At the inaugural session held on 1 July 2014, 57 of the 71 members were sworn in. The results of the voting in 14 constituencies were being investigated by the Electoral Court.
Note:
The United for More Change coalition included the following parties.
- Democratic Change: 20 seats
- Democratic Change (CD) MOLIRENA: 10 seats
- Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA): 2 seats
The People First coalition included the following parties.
- Panamenista Party: 10 seats
- Panamenista Party - People's Party: 3 seats |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
