Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto PEREZ
BALLADARES Gonzalez Revilla (since 1 September 1994), First Vice
President Tomas Gabriel ALTAMIRANO DUQUE (since 1 September 1994),
Second Vice President Felipe Alejandro VIRZI Lopez (since 1
September 1994) were elected for five-year terms by popular vote;
election last held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 9 May 1999); results
- Ernesto PEREZ BALLADARES (PRD) 33%, Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER (PA)
29%, Ruben BLADES (MPE) 17%, Ruben Dario CARLES (MOLIRENA) 16%
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): legislators from
outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while
districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple
legislators by means of a proportion-based formula; elections last
held 8 May 1994 (next to be held 9 May 1999); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) PRD 32, PS 4, PALA 1, PA 14,
MPE 6, MOLIRENA 4, PLA 3, PRC 3, PL 2, PDC 1, UDI 1, MORENA 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justicia), nine judges appointed for 10-year terms; five superior
courts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
governing coalition: Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Gerardo
GONZALEZ; Liberal Republican Party (PLR), Rodolfo CHIARI; Labor
Party (PALA), Carlos Lopez GUEVARA
other parties: Solidarity Party (PS), Samuel LEWIS GALINDO;
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), Delia CARDENAS;
Authentic Liberal Party (PLA), Arnulfo ESCALONA; Arnulfista Party
(PA), Mireya MOSCOSO DE GRUBER; Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Ruben AROSEMENA; Liberal Party (PL), Roberto ALEMAN Zubieta; Papa
Egoro Movement (MPE), Gloria YOUNG; Civic Renewal Party (PRC), Tomas
HERRERA; National Unity Mission Party (MUN), Jose Manuel PAREDES;
Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jacinto CARDENAS; National
Renovation Movement (MORENA), Pedro VALLERINO
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Organized
Workers (CONATO); National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP);
Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE); National
Civic Crusade; Chamber of Commerce; Panamanian Industrialists
Society (SIP); Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama (CTRP)
International organization participation: AG (associate), ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA
(observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo Alberto ARIAS
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New
York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William John HUGHES
embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: [507] 227-1377
FAX: [507] 227-1964