The decision was announced by the magistrates after a meeting with media executives, responsible for the transmission of the controversies in national chain, according to what was reported.

For the first debate, whose production and organization is in charge of the University of Panama and TVN Media, rounds of questions on citizen insecurity, sustainable development, Social Security Fund, quality education and unemployment had been designed.

The first of those debates was to be held next Wednesday, but the TE indicated on Tuesday that it was postponed, “in order to guarantee that the candidates who will be on the ballot participate in the presidential debates.”

Before that, it even informed that it would suspend controversies due to the fact that one of the presidential candidates, former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) is still in asylum in the Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama, and also confirmed the prohibition for his running mate, Jose Raul Mulino, to substitute him in those rounds.

The highest electoral body decided to maintain the dates previously disclosed for the other two debates between the presidential candidates.

The second question and answer tournament, on March 13, will have the particularity of the public participation format, with topics of interest for youngsters, aged 18 to 29.

The third and last meeting, on April 17, will deal with economy and democracy, under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

On May 5, Panamanians will decide at the polls their new president and vice president, 20 lawmakers to the Central American Parliament and 71 legislators to the National Assembly.They will further elect 81 mayors, 701 township representatives and 11 councilmen, all with their respective alternates, for the period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029.

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