Conservative candidate Jose Raul Mulino will likely win Panama's presidential election amid voters' elevated discontent with the country's current center-left government. But regardless of the ballot's outcome, Panama will face long-term economic challenges, increased political tensions and social unrest that could damage the country's business and investment climate. Panama will hold general elections on May 5, where voters will elect a new president and all 71 members of the National Assembly. Panama's constitution prevents presidents from serving consecutive terms, so current President Laurentino Cortizo of the center-left Democratic Revolutionary Party cannot run for re-election. The front-runner is Jose Raul Mulino from the conservative Realizing Goals party, with polling by firm Doxa released on April 15 indicating that he has 34% of voter support. The next closest candidates are Ricardo Lombana of the center-right Another Way Movement with 15% support and former President Martín Torrijos (2004-2009) of the center-right People's Party...
