Harry Brown

Political Scientist, Director of CIEPS, Author of the books "The Winner Doesn't Appear on the Ballot" and "Political Parties and Elections in Panama", Editor/Author of the book "Electoral Reforms in Panama: Keys to Human Development for Decision Making" and member of the Advisory Council of the Latin American Political Reform Project. 

Moderation:

Alixenia Lopez

Project Coordinator of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Panama, ADELA Regional Program ("Alliances for Democracy and Development with Latin America")

Event

The pandemic has caused many political entities to carry out total reforms in their internal and external operation systems to maintain order and peace in their states during these times, in the case of Panama, it has caused an endless number of decisions by the executive and legislative bodies where the majority have been questioned by the general population, however these decisions have the purpose of favoring and protecting the majority of the citizens from the economic, social and psychological repercussions caused by the presence of the deadly virus. 

National political perspectives on the Pandemic.

Since the first case of COVID-19 was announced and the total state of emergency in Panama, there have been many interpretations and political situations that Panama is experiencing in these last months of confinement in the media, websites and national news. Most of them are valid, however, some must be taken carefully for their veracity. The global situation of the virus works as a means of comparison between the actions that were taken by the government before, during and after the pandemic, creating emphasis on the importance of supporting national democracy, citizen participation in politics, education of future generations, and the fight against governmental/political carcinogenic phenomena such as corruption or political scams. It is important to see that this pandemic situation has made it easier for the population to identify that the biggest problem that the country currently has is not the lack of hygienic care for the virus (health problem) but its high rate of inequality in the economic and social spheres that are allowed and led by political members of the National Government. 

The National Pandemic Response 

From Panama's macroeconomic perspectives, there was the knowledge that the economy was in decline since the infamous global event of the "Panama Papers" in 2016 and then by the protests and closure in the construction industry by Panama's workers' unions in 2019, which were a strong blow to most of the population especially those in the middle class of the country, but many economists predicted a positive growth of almost 5% nationally by 2020, however no one predicted the impact of this virus. On March 13, 2020 a state of emergency was announced by the national government of Panama, announcing closures in most commercial activities and regulations in the flow of citizens throughout the country as a measure and way to regulate the effective reproduction of the virus (RT) as soon as possible. Due to this, there has been an increase in cases of unemployment or suspension of work contracts at the national level which has caused total discontent on the part of Panama's lower, lower-middle and middle classes. A survey conducted by the International Center for Political and Social Studies (CIEPS) in Panama asked the Panamanian population how they perceived the economy during the Pandemic where 89% of respondents responded with "bad" or "very bad" which is a reflection of the lack of confidence that the population has with political entities in the economic management issues in the country. Both the executive and legislative branches have enacted articles and laws to provide social and economic protection to their populations. Although decrees have been made that in theory favor the population and small businesses during these times, most of what has been implemented has been criticized when it comes to putting it into practice in the country. These criticisms are due to the lack of compliance with established decrees by the government and the lack of compliance with biosecurity measures by political figures. The educational structure has also been totally reformed and updated to face the situation of the virus where the National Government has promoted that classes are held in a virtual way which has been incorporated little by little to the population, but it is strongly criticized because it omits students who do not have the necessary resources to participate in their virtual classes. These investments have caused an ideological separation from politics in Panama; on the one hand, the National Government is investing in an uncontrolled manner, but on the other hand, the positive results are not being seen by the population. This creates a questioning of the National Government's social pact, which leads to the establishment of a fiscal pact to control investments during and after the pandemic and to try to fight against the inequalities of wealth in society.

Government Actions in the Face of the Pandemic

The National Government has made greater investment in health systems at the national level and has emphasized the importance of concentrated and priority investment in public medical centers. Outpatient hospital centers have been built to cope with the growing numbers of those infected with the deadly virus and the internal infrastructure of the Social Security Fund has been improved. Educational systems or portals have been created to make it easier for students to continue their studies, which must be reflected in the importance of investment in education at the national level. The National Police have been more involved in maintaining peace and tranquility in the neighborhoods and towns. The National Government decreed a monthly subsidy for the population that does not receive income due to the Pandemic, this subsidy or rather "Solidarity Bonus" consists of a figure of B/.100 that is given to each citizen with a suspended contract or unemployment due to the pandemic. This last one has been strongly criticized at a national and international level for being very low in comparison to the cost of living in Panama and the bonds that are granted in countries like Costa Rica and Brazil, taking into account that Panama is one of the richest countries in Latin America with a much lower population than other Latin American countries. Many families and companies have been allowed to defer bank, real estate and credit payments, which was a relief to the Panamanian population. The National Government is struggling to easily establish the integration of the population to the so-called "New Normal" but the pandemic has shown the other side of the coin abruptly because of the injustices, inequalities and lack of commitment of the government when using our taxes within the areas of public investments. The virus is gradually unmasking in a surprising way the political monster in Panama and many Latin American countries also known as "corruption". 

Panama's Policy Before and After the Pandemic.

According to Senator Jorge Pizarro, President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, he mentioned that Latin America "will not be the same" after the pandemic. The psychological and ideological changes of Panamanian society at the moment of returning to normality will be totally different from how they were before, and especially in the Panamanian political environment where society itself will be more demanding before its political entities. The problems of corruption and inequality will be more obvious in society and the search for new educated, humble and honest political leaders will be key for the Panamanian population. Corruption is currently being denounced quickly and in large numbers, for example, the cases of the last two presidents of the nation Ricardo Martineli and Juan Carlos Varela. The political system has so far acted with a fight against inequality and corruption, however some of its political members, either from any political party, have shown a totally dishonest side to their population in terms of public investments against the virus and the follow up of the health rules imposed by the MINSA. It is important to understand that this pandemic has allowed the majority of the Panamanian population to understand that the inequality of wealth, uncontrolled public investment and corruption are a much more serious problem than was thought and therefore new measures must be taken. 

By:

Alejandro Alberto Marín Leiva

Intern in the office of KAS ADELA, Panama.

Konrad Adenauer Foundation