The citizens of Panama "want things to be done differently," Varela
said at the inauguration. "An attitude of change starts today." In his
first speech as president, Martinelli promised a smaller government
budget but raises for public workers.
Public safety, an issue that the outgoing administration of Martin
Torrijos struggled to maintain, will be a priority, Martinelli said.
"Our prisons will be rehabilitation centers, not schools for
criminals," he said.
Martinelli promised invest a billion US dollars in a metropolitan
rail system to modernize Panama City and create jobs. Panama is
currently involved in the expansion of the Canal which is scheduled to
be concluded by 2014 and has created over 5.000 construction jobs.
“We are celebrating 20 years of uninterrupted democratic system and
values” said Martinelli in direct reference to the ousting by US
invading forces of former military strongman Noriega.
Martinelli also promised Panama will work closely with Mexico and
Colombia to combat drug trafficking in the region. Both conservative
presidents, Alvaro Uribe and Felipe Calderón participated of the
inauguration ceremonies.
The incoming president considers these two countries as essential partners for Panama both in trade and investment terms.
Among the dignitaries at the inauguration was deposed Honduran
President Jose Manuel Zelaya, Mario Funes from El Salvador, Oscar Arias
from Costa Rica and Ma Ying-jeou from Taiwan.
The son of Italian immigrants, Martinelli, 57, is a self-made
businessman who is chairman of the Super 99 supermarket chain, one of
the largest private companies in Panama.
The US-educated president previously served as minister and chairman
of the board of directors of the Panama Canal Authority and formerly
was director of social security for Panama, according to his Web site.
Martinelli won the presidency with 60% of the votes in a race against ruling-party candidate Balbina Herrera.
Although under outgoing president Martin Torrijos the Panamanian
expanded sustainedly and poverty was cut considerably, still 30% of the
population figure in that category and 13% in extreme poverty.
POST COMMENT BELOW:
WWW.EN.MERCOPRESS.COM
http://en.mercopress.com/2009/07/02/conservative-pro-business-president-takes-office-in-panama