Rómulo Roux becomes presidential candidate of the opposition party CD in Panama

Rómulo Roux, a lawyer, has been officially recognized as the virtual winner of the internal elections for the opposition Democratic Change (CD) party’s presidential candidate in Panama.

He secured 53.53 percent of the votes, with 94.9 percent of the tables scrutinized.

The Electoral Tribunal (TE) stated that there is an irreversible trend in the preliminary results, with only 54 tables remaining to be scrutinized and 49.2 percent electoral participation.

Osman López, the national director of electoral organization at the TE, personally informed Roux of the unofficial results, allowing him to run for the presidency in the May 2024 general elections.

In the previous May 2019 elections, Roux finished second, closely behind Laurentino Cortizo of the traditional Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD).

Yanibel Abrego, a congresswoman, secured second place in the CD primaries with 45.34% of the votes, followed by Olmedo Guillén (0.65%) and Luis Antonio Daniel (0.48%).

Roux viewed the election results as a victory against a corrupt and dysfunctional political system that has plagued the country.

He specifically mentioned opposition to former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, his party, the PRD, and its presidential candidate Benicio Robinson, the Cortizo government, and the executive branch.

Roux emphasized that this triumph signifies a rejection of a flawed system that fails to serve the country.

Gabriel Carrizo, the Panamanian vice-president, won the presidential candidacy for the PRD in their internal elections on June 11.

Martinelli, the founder of the CD and former president, secured the presidential candidacy for the Realizando Metas (RM) party, which he established, on June 4.

Martinelli is awaiting a sentence in a trial related to alleged money laundering and involvement in the Odebrecht bribery scandal.

Roux described the victory as a triumph against corruption, parallel decentralization, and attempts to buy consciences and votes with food supplies.

The TE reported that approximately 306,549 colectivo members were eligible to vote in these elections.