Politics of Panama

The president and vice-president are elected on a single ballot for a five-year term by direct popular vote.

It comprises the Supreme Court of Justice, the Tribunals, and the judges established by law, according to the constitution of Panama (title VII, chapter 1).

An autonomous Electoral Tribunal supervises voter registration, the election process, and the activities of political parties.

These parties were founded by charismatic and strong political enemies, Omar Torrijos (PRD)—the deceased father of former president, Martín Torrijos—and Arnulfo Arias (Panameñista/Arnulfista), late husband of the ex-president, Mireya Moscoso.

Panamanians have been working to root out the after-effects of several decades of military rule since the country's return to democracy in 1989.