Panamá 2014

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Las elecciones son hoy (también elecciones para los diputados, el PARLACEN, alcaldes etc)

The candidates are:
José Domingo Arias (CD-MORELINA): vaguely conservative nobody who is a puppet for incumbent vaguely conservative/autocratic incumbent Ricardo Martinelli (the supermarket magnate dude). His running mate also happens to be Martinelli's wife even if that's blatantly unconstitutional

Juan Carlos Navarro (PRD): vaguely centre-left former mayor of Panama City, running for the PRD which was Omar Torrijos' party and was one of the two establishment parties from 1990 to 2009. basically boring moderate heroes with a vague hint of centre-leftism.

Juan Carlos Varela (Panamenista): incumbent VP elected with Martinelli in 2009, fell out with him in 2011 and has spent the last 2-3 years hating him. Running for the old Panamenista Party, historically a nationalist party/machine for Arnulfo Arias (famous for being elected thrice and probably more but never completing his terms). Seems like a Very Serious Person and ultimate moderate hero ('not a politician but a businessman'/'working above parties' sh**t)

Also 4 random nobodies including a True Leftist

It is a close 3-way battle, with Arias holding the most chances of winning.

[Linus Van Pelt]

Is Martinelli not running because he is term-limited?

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Is Martinelli not running because he is term-limited?

Yes, Panamanian Presidents actually can't run in the next two presidential elections and their relatives can't be elected President or VP in the next term.

[Famous Mortimer]

Juan Carlos Varela won.

[RodPresident]

Juan Carlos Varela won.

I think that it was first time that PRD voters went with Panamenista candidate.

[Famous Mortimer]

The incumbent president said something like "God help us" and that instead of retiring like he planned, he will be active in opposition to the new president.

[Sir John Johns]

Martinelli's CD will probably have a plurality of seats in next Congress with, so far, 28 out of a total of 71 seats with an extra seat for its ally Molirena. PRD finished second with 22 seats, Panameñista Party has 11 seats and its ally People's Party 1 seat. The last seat was won by an independent while 7 seats are still to be distributed.

Very close race in the election of next mayor of Panamá City. José Blandón (Panameñista) is currently leading with 35.57% against 34.38% for his closest rival José Luis Fábrega (PRD) with 83% of ballots counted. Incumbent mayor Roxana Méndez (CD) is third with so far 29.3% and has already concede defeat.