Opposition still divided

Panama's two main opposition political parties do not seem close to any agreement that would pave the way for them to unite behind a single candidate.

Cambio Democrático candidate Ricardo Martinelli affirmed yesterday that he would not be willing to step aside to let Partido Panameñista candidate Juan Carlos Varela run a unified campaign against whichever Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) candidate emerges from that party's primary in September.

“I have made the decision not to make an alliance with the Partido Panameñista,” Martinelli said yesterday. “It has been demonstrated that although Juan Carlos Varela is being sold as a fresh face, he has operated as a typical politician.”

Varela, on the other hand, stated that he would be open to negotiations, but has been openly courting the support of the Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista (Molirena).

Martinelli has reached a deal with the Unión Patriótica party, but it is unlikely he could defeat a PRD candidate without the support of the Panameñista party.