What Happened
Roberto Zúñiga, head of the Vamos bancada in Panama’s National Assembly, said recent high-profile appointments reflect an “evident” agreement between the Executive and Legislative branches. He pointed to the selection process for the new magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal, along with earlier appointments such as the Ombudsman and the comptroller, as examples of political trade-offs that shaped the outcomes before debate fully played out.
Zúñiga said Vamos tried to build an alternative around the vote, including coordination with Moca and an effort to bring in the PRD, but that effort ultimately fell short. He argued that the process showed how decisions can be effectively settled in advance, leaving limited room for real deliberation in the Assembly.
Internal Friction in Vamos
The Vamos leader also addressed divisions inside his own bancada after three deputies broke ranks in the vote. He said the lawmakers had warned on Tuesday and Wednesday that they were uncomfortable supporting Juncá, and that his role was to persuade the bloc to vote as one.
Zúñiga contrasted that situation with an earlier case involving another deputy, saying the difference was that this time the dissent was announced ahead of the vote. He said the bloc still needs to discuss what steps, if any, should follow.
Anti-Corruption Bills Face Roadblocks
As a member of the Government Commission, Zúñiga said some anti-corruption initiatives have advanced, including a bill against “botellas,” a term used in Panama for officials who receive pay without working, and another aimed at increasing transparency in the assets of high-ranking public servants. But he warned that winning the 36 votes needed for approval remains a major challenge.
He placed direct blame on the commission’s president, saying a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for crimes against public administration has been left idle and has not even moved forward for debate. Zúñiga linked stronger anti-corruption measures to economic credibility, arguing that serious foreign investment depends on robust institutions and a reliable rule of law.
Assembly Reform and Future Projects
Zúñiga said the internal rules reform in the Assembly has made too little progress, describing the process as one step forward and one step back. With only two weeks left in the legislative period, he said the proposal still has not reached second debate.
He also defended Vamos’ work in the five commissions it leads, citing hearings on the water crisis in Azuero, education reforms, oversight of shelters run by SENNIAF, housing policy, and reforms to the diplomatic career. Looking ahead, he highlighted a bill to create the Programa Paraíso del Istmo, a tourism initiative aimed at promoting the country’s interior under a regional brand.
For Zúñiga, the broader lesson remains political discipline and consistency. He said the only way to change the Assembly is through a “decent majority” committed to breaking with traditional political practices.