What Happened
The National Assembly opened its ordinary session on Friday, January 2, 2026, in a formal start to the legislative calendar for the year. The day included a message to the nation from President José Raúl Mulino, who used the occasion to present an account of his administration and outline priorities for the months ahead.
The ceremony marked one of the most important political events at the start of the year, placing the executive and legislative branches in the same institutional setting at a moment when public attention is focused on government performance and pending reforms.
Mulino’s First 18 Months in Office
Mulino spoke after 18 months in power, a period that included part of 2024 and his first full year in office, which ended on December 31, 2025. His address came as his administration continues to face scrutiny over major national issues, including justice, the mining sector, public finances and structural reforms that remain unresolved.
The speech served as both a review of what has been accomplished and a statement of the government’s direction for the new year. In Panama, this annual opening session often sets the tone for the political debate that follows, especially when the executive branch is preparing to advance key legislative or policy initiatives.
Why the Session Matters
The installation of the ordinary session formally launches legislative work for 2026, giving lawmakers the responsibility of debating proposals that could have broad effects on the country. That includes decisions tied to governance, economic stability and the institutional reforms that have been part of the national conversation.
With Panama navigating continuing discussions over fiscal pressures and economic management, the relationship between the government and the Assembly will be closely watched. The president’s appearance before the plenary also underscores the constitutional importance of public accountability at the start of each legislative cycle.
What Comes Next
The new session places lawmakers in position to consider bills and policy debates that could shape the year ahead. As the political calendar moves forward, attention will remain on how the Mulino administration translates its priorities into concrete action and how the Assembly responds to the challenges on the agenda.
The opening day therefore did more than begin a new session: it established the framework for a year in which Panama’s political and economic decisions are likely to remain tightly linked.