QUICK TAKES

President Martinelli,
Walks in Citizen's Shoes of Panama

By Will Irvine

President Ricardo Martinelli, of Panama, ran on a campaign slogan that tried to bridge the gap between a wealthy businessman and the people of Panama who work for a living and struggle to make ends meet. He said he was “walking in the people's shoes”. Today from what is seen in the news, in the polls and what is heard from people on the street he seems to have delivered. The president is constantly seen in a shirt with short sleeves, no tie and slacks walking around like a casual business person. He has dispensed with a lot of state protocol and is a more accessible president. When he goes out the President is often approached by people wanting to say hi, congratulate him or ask for his autograph.

His first Cabinet Meeting was held in Las Garzas but not the Presidential Palace also named Las Garzas, but in a very poor

community in Pacora. His style is simple and straightforward and most people will say he tells you the truth straight out. Some think his style is a media show but others believe it is just the way he is.

In a recent poll by the company Unimer, commissioned by the newspaper La Prensa held between October 6th and 9th - 46.8 % of those polled thought his style of government is “folksy” and 45.1 % qualifies it as "positive" while the remaining percentage considers it being improper and undignified. For this poll 1,200 people were interviewed with a 2.8% margin of error.

One of the things that was factored into the equation was what President Martinelli's popularity? The consensus, people perceive him as a President who keeps his promises. He promised free internet for students and has delivered. Friday October 16th launched this initiative at a public event in one of the local public high schools where the President gave out laptops equipped with Wi-Fi to students and explained details of the project. This initiative is not only limited to Panama City as many government initiatives are, but it also extends to areas of the interior of the country where even paid internet access is difficult. By the end of November 11 towns in the interior of Panama should have free wireless internet in public areas and by early next year 11 more towns should be covered in the second stage of the initiative.

Another promise that Panamanians have been hearing for a while but which this President has furthered is a new alternative for a public transportation system. A metro system for the city seems to be the most popular alternative and steps have been taken to put this into execution. The government has already selected a consortium to prepare the conceptual plans and the documents for the bidding process. They have nine months to complete the project.

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