The Government of the Republic of Panama

Some consider The Republic of Panama is a sovereign, independent nation that is a constitutional democracy.  It achieved independence from Colombia on November 3, 1903.  It has two elected branches of government and one appointed branch.  While the executive and legislative branches are elected for a 5-year term, the nine magistrates of the judicial branch are appointed.

The last election was on May 2, 2004; the next election will be held May 3, 2009.

Executive Branch
Chief of State : President Martin Torrijos Espino
Head of Government : President Martin Torrijos Espino

(The president is both Chief of State and the Head of Government.

First Vice President : Samuel Lewis Navarro

Second Vice President : Ruben Arosemena Valdes

Link to the Official biography of Martín Torrijos Espino, President of the Republic of Panama (English)

The executive branch is composed of the president, two vice presidents and 12 appointed ministers of state.  The president and vice-presidents must be native-born Panamanians and at least 35 years of age.  If a president resigns or is removed from office, the first vice president replaces him.  In 2009, the executive branch will have only one vice president.

There are twelve ministries:
Ministry of the Presidency (Ministerio de la Presidencia),
Ministry of Government and Justice (Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia),
Ministry of Foreign Relations (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores),
Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas),
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI) (Ministerio de Comercio e Industria),
Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario),
Ministry of Public Works (MOP) (Ministerio de Obras Públicas),
Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación),
Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud),
Ministry of Labour and Job Development   (Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral),
Ministry of Housing (MIVI) (Ministerio de Vivienda),
Ministry of Social Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social).

 The President’s nominations for ministers of state and high court judges must be approved by the National Assembly.

National Assembly ( Asamblea Nacional)
The National Assembly is unicameral and consists of 78 members.  This number will change to 71 in the 2009 election.  They are elected by direct popular vote at the same time as the presidential vote and can be reelected for one consecutive period.

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
The Supreme Court of Justice , subordinate tribunal as well as district and municipal courts comprise the judicial branch.  The nine Supreme Court magistrates serve a ten-year term.

Electoral Tribunal
The electoral process is directed by the Electoral Tribunal.  The Tribunal consists of three judges—one from the Executive, one from the Supreme Court, and one from the Legislative Assemby—elected for a ten-year term.  One of the three members is appointed by the President.  The Tribunal interprets electoral law and organizes “ cedulación” which is the provision of identity cards to Panamanian citizens over 18 years of age.

Political parties and leaders
Democratic Change or CD—Ricardo Martinelli;
Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD—Martin Torrijos;
National Liberal Party or PLN—Anibal Galindo;
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or Molirena— Jesus Rosas;
Panamenista Party or PA (formerly the Arnulfista Party)—Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodriguez;
Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)—Ruben Rosemena;
Solidarity Party or PS—Jose Raul Mulino    

Nine Administrative Divisions
9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca):
Bocas del Toro
Chiriqui
Cocle
Colon
Darien
Herrera

Los Santos
Panama
San Blas*(Kuna Yala)

Veraguas

Official Republic of Panama government websites (Spanish)
Presendencia del la República de Panamá  http://www.presidencia.gob.pa/
Asamblea Nacional de Panamá: http://www.asamblea.gob.pa/index.asp
Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas: http://www.mef.gob.pa
Zona Libre de Colón: www.zonalibredecolon.com.pa
Contraloría de la República: http://www.contraloria.gob.pa/
Panamá http://www.pa/index.php
Panama Canal Authority (English): http://www.pancanal.com/
Órgano Judicial http://www.organojudicial.gob.pa/