Politics of Panama takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Panama is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The branches are according to Panama's Political Constitution of 1972, reformed by the Actos Reformatorios of 1978, and by the Acto Constitucional in 1983, united in cooperation and limited through the classic system of checks and balances. Three independent organizations with clearly defined responsibilities are found in the Political Constitution. Thus, the Comptroller General of the Republic has the responsibility to manage public funds. There also exists the Electoral Tribunal, which has the responsibility to guarantee liberty, transparency, and the efficacy of the popular vote; and, finally, the Ministry of the Public exists to oversee interests of State and of the municipalities. This page lists presidents of Panama since 1903. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... The National Assembly (Spanish: Asamblea Nacional), formerly the Legislative Assembly, is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues with the aim to participate in power, usually by participating in elections. ... Elections in Panama gives information on election and election results in Panama. ... The Republic of Panama held a general election on 2 May 1999, electing both a new President of the Republic and a new Legislative Assembly. ... The Republic of Panama held a general election on Sunday, 2 May 2004, electing both a new President of the Republic and a new Legislative Assembly. ... The Panama Canal expansion referendum was held on October 22, 2006, when the citizens of Panama approved the Panama Canal expansion project by a wide margin. ... Panama is divided into 9 provinces (in Spanish, provincias) and 3 provincial-level indigenous territories (comarcas indígenas, or simply comarcas). ... The Panama Canal Authority (Spanish: Autoridad del Canal de Panamá, or ACP) is the agency of the government of Panama responsible for the operation and management of the Panama Canal. ... Panama is currently a member of the UN General Assembly (and most major UN agencies) and has served three terms in the UN Security Council. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... A presidential system, also called a congressional system, is a system of government where the executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separate from the legislature, to which it is not accountable, and which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. ... Representative democracy is a form of democracy founded on the exercise of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... in particular, for the archaizing senses of republic, as a translation of politeia or res publica Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A republic is a form of government maintained by a state or country whose sovereignty is based on popular consent and whose... This page lists presidents of Panama since 1903. ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ... The Head of Government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The National Assembly (Spanish: Asamblea Nacional), formerly the Legislative Assembly, is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      In law, the judiciary or judicial is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ...

Executive branch

The executive branch includes a president and two vice presidents. The president and the vice-presidents are elected on one ballot for a five year term by the people. This page lists presidents of Panama since 1903. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... The Democratic Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Democrático, or PRD) is a Panamanian political party. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Samuel Lewis Navarro is the first vice-president and foreign minister of Panama. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Legislative branch

The legislative branch consists of a unicameral National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) with 78 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat and multi-seat constituencies. For unicameral alphabets, see the article letter case. Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or parliamentary chamber. ... The National Assembly (Spanish: Asamblea Nacional), formerly the Legislative Assembly, is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama. ... A constituency is any cohesive corporate unit or body bound by shared structures, goals or loyalty. ...

Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Panama. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Panama.

Main article: Panamanian election, 2004

A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues with the aim to participate in power, usually by participating in elections. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Elections in Panama gives information on election and election results in Panama. ... The Republic of Panama held a general election on Sunday, 2 May 2004, electing both a new President of the Republic and a new Legislative Assembly. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... The Democratic Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Democrático, or PRD) is a Panamanian political party. ... The Peoples Party (Partido Popular, formerly known as the Christian Democrati Party of Panama) was founded in the early 1960s. ... Guillermo David Endara Galimany (born 12 May 1936 in Panama City) is a Panamanian politician. ... The Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad) is a political party in Panama. ... José Miguel Alemán (born 8 May 1956, in Panama City) is a Panamanian politician. ... The Arnulfista Party (Spanish: Partido Arnulfista) is a Panamanian political party. ... Ricardo Martinelli (born 11 March 1952, in Panama City) is a Panamanian politician and businessman. ... Democratic Change (Cambio Democrático) is a political party in Panama. ... The National Assembly (Spanish: Asamblea Nacional), formerly the Legislative Assembly, is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama. ... The Democratic Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Democrático, or PRD) is a Panamanian political party. ... The Arnulfista Party (Spanish: Partido Arnulfista) is a Panamanian political party. ... The Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad) is a political party in Panama. ... The Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (Partido Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista, MOLIRENA) is a liberal party in Panama. ... Democratic Change (Cambio Democrático) is a political party in Panama. ... The Peoples Party (Partido Popular, formerly known as the Christian Democrati Party of Panama) was founded in the early 1960s. ... The National Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Nacional) is a liberal party in Panama. ...

Judicial branch

The Judicial Organ administers justice in a permanent, free, and expeditious manner. It comprises the Supreme Court of Justice, the Tribunals, and the judges established by law, according to the Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama (title VII, Chapter 1).

Electoral branch

An autonomous Electoral Tribunal supervises voter registration, the election process, and the activities of political parties. Everyone over the age of 18 is required to vote, although those who fail to do so are not penalized.

Some background

In Panamanian history, the dominant parties have been the PRD and the Panameñista (former Arnulfista Party). These parties were founded by very charismatic and strong political enemies, Omar Torrijos (PRD) - the father of the current president, Martin Torrijos Espino - and Arnulfo Arias (Panameñista/Arnulfista) - husband of the previous president, Mireya Moscoso -. Even though these leaders died years ago, their "aura" is always revived by its followers, and they are present in every election. Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera (February 13, 1929 – August 1, 1981) was a Panamanian army officer and the leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid (August 15, 1901 – August 10, 1988 in Miami, Florida) was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968. ...

Panamanian politics have been historically very corrupt. Lately, the Panamanian society and press has gotten tired of this and is auditing and fighting for improvements. A sign of this is the lack of Young vote in the 22/10/06 Referendum, showing a lack of confidence in Panama Politics ways and PoliticiansSOURCE. However, the country's socialist/worker parties are not popular due their history as in Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia.