Panama opposition seeks consensus candidate for National Assembly leadership

Opposition parties in Panama's National Assembly are engaged in intensified negotiations ahead of the election for the new Board of Directors. The primary objective is to unite behind a single consensus candidate to effectively challenge the officialist slate, which is headed by Deputy Shirley Castañedas.

Discussions are actively taking place among deputies from the Seguimos, Vamos, and Panameñista parties. These parties aim to replicate the successful alliance they formed last year, which resulted in them controlling the Assembly's Board of Directors. Deputy José Pérez Barboni of the Seguimos bloc confirmed that these meetings are ongoing, with the aim of strengthening their opposition bloc and maintaining control of the Assembly.

While the strategy focuses on maintaining opposition leadership, Pérez Barboni indicated that new faces might be presented. The specific candidates are still under discussion, as negotiations are not yet concluded. The parties are awaiting the outcomes of individual bloc meetings to gauge their respective strengths before making a final decision. A significant focus of these talks is Cambio Democrático, a bloc whose support is considered vital for building a majority. Representatives from various parties are reportedly seeking dialogue with Cambio Democrático to secure their backing for the opposition's candidate.