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Panama's Mulino wins presidency with support from convicted former leader

Panama's former security minister Jose Raul Mulino on Sunday stormed to triumph in a. presidential survey dominated by his old manager, the popular. exleader Ricardo Martinelli, who strengthened his campaign. regardless of being holed up in Nicaragua's embassy.

Mulino, 64, was one of the favorites for the presidency. after he stepped in to replace Martinelli on the ballot when the. previous president was barred from running due to a cash. laundering conviction.

Mission achieved, damn it, Mulino informed his supporters. to loud cheers and applause. To Ricardo Martinelli, friend,. objective accomplished as well.

Mulino said his federal government would be pro-investment and. pro-business and said the Central American country would honor. its debts, however likewise vowed to not forget the bad.

I guarantee to the nation at this time to create, to. establish, a federal government of unity as soon as possible, Mulino. told electoral authorities previously as they video called him to. confirm he had won the presidency.

In a weird election project, Martinelli played a key function. drumming up assistance for Mulino from Nicaragua's embassy in. Panama's capital, where he sought asylum. Numerous citizens saw Mulino. as a proxy for Martinelli, though opponents called him a puppet. of the previous president.

Nicaragua gave Martinelli asylum but Panamanian. authorities have actually obstructed him from leaving the country. Mulino. visited Martinelli at the embassy after casting his vote on. Sunday.

Mulino, a former legal representative, was declared winner having actually secured. about 34% of the tallies tallied with over 90% of the overall vote. counted. Ricardo Lombana, who trailed in second location with about. 25% of the vote, congratulated Mulino on his victory.

DIFFICULT JOB

Mulino, a pro-business right-wing political leader who acted as. interior and security minister during Martinelli's. administration from 2009 to 2014, deals with a difficult task of. repairing social departments and regaining the faith of an. electorate fed up with political graft.

Amongst his leading concerns will be repairing Panama's pressing. economic issues, taking on corruption, and restoring the. nation's reputation as an investment sanctuary.

We understand that now as president he can fix the country, said. Hayde Gonzalez, 46, a medic who danced with her daughters in the. center of the capital upon hearing Mulino was pulling ahead as. votes were counted.

There will be more security and the economy will recuperate,. she included.

Mulino has guaranteed to usher in prosperity through enthusiastic. facilities investment and a higher minimum wage, while. recommending he would keep Martinelli out of prison.

Magali Rosa, 60, a senior citizen, said she chose Mulino. due to the fact that she felt he might bring more tasks and improve security,. which during the Martinelli government there was a great deal of. money for everyone.

Mulino will acquire the controversy surrounding a giant. copper mine. The Cobre Panama mine, which accounted for about 1%. of overall copper supply, was bought shut last year after a. government contract with Canadian miner First Quantum was deemed. unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Lots of Panamanians required to the streets to protest against the. mine, which challengers argued did not have ecological warranties and. was riddled with corruption.

Panama's next government will likewise have to compete with a. bothered pension fund system, high levels of public financial obligation and the. loss in income from the closure of the mine, which represented. about 5% of gross domestic product.

Corruption has actually become a hot-button concern for citizens. Regional. media has just recently reported on generous trainee loans and. scholarships given to the children of political leaders and rich,. high-profile households.

After a record 520,000 migrants in 2015 crossed the. treacherous jungle that links Panama and Colombia, known as. the Darien Space, migration is also on voters' minds. Some. candidates have vowed to open the path, which could increase. migration streams into Panama, while others want to enhance controls. to shut it down totally.

The next administration will also inherit issues faced by. the Panama Canal, which saw revenues tumble after it was forced. to cut ship crossings due to a prolonged drought.

Mulino will take workplace on July 1 for a five-year term.