In a somewhat surprising result, Centre-left candidate Laurentino Cortizo of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) has won the Panamanian Presidential Election, finishing around two percentage points ahead of rival Rómulo Roux of the Democratic Change party, who had been in power since 2009.
Not surprisingly Mr Roux has so far refused to hand over power quoting reports of voting irregularities. Given the scandals surrounding Odebrecht, the Brazilian construction firm found guilty of (amongst other things) of giving illegal payments to 17 Panamanian officials, corruption has been at the forefront of the presidential race and no one would rule out there being issues with the election. One to watch.
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