In a move that has grabbed the attention of the global legal community, the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama is set to have far-reaching implications for the country’s upcoming elections. The highest court in the land on Friday dismissed a constitutional challenge against the candidacy of notable presidential candidate José Raúl Mulino. The suit was resolved just two days before the May 5 election, bringing an end to a period of considerable uncertainty regarding the electoral process.
In a major announcement, the court revealed that it had found the Second Resolutive Point of Plenary Agreement 11-1 issued on March 4, 2024, to be constitutional. This decision came with an overwhelming majority of 8 votes in favor out of a total of 9. The agreement, authored by the Panamanian Electoral Tribunal, mandated the inclusion of Mulino as a candidate on the electoral ballots. Furthermore, the agreement disqualified former President Ricardo Martinelli from participating as a presidential candidate due to a prior conviction for money laundering, replacing him with Mulino, the standing vice presidential candidate, for the position of the presidency.
In light of the ruling, the president of the Supreme Court of Justice, together with the other justices, held a press conference explaining the court’s decision-making process. Notably, the judgment sparked criticism and questions about its legality and the timing of its issuance have emerged, adding a layer of complexity to an already intricate affair. Given the short timeframe before the elections and the global interest in this case, we can anticipate that this will continue to generate debate within the legal community.