El Gobierno de Panamá anunció un proceso de reformas para hacerle frente a la crisis económica

Reform and Constitutional Change in Panama

Overview of Government Reforms

• The newly inaugurated government of Panama, led by President José Raúl Mulino, is set to reform the state and amend the national Constitution, which has been in place since 1972.

• A proposed method for constitutional reform includes a parallel constituent assembly or a popular referendum; however, this will be a gradual process rather than an immediate overhaul.

Economic Measures and Public Spending

• One of President Mulino's objectives is to contain public spending through various measures such as reducing public sector employees, returning leased vehicles, and reviewing operational expenses.

• Despite these cuts, the president assures that public investment will continue. He criticizes the current state system as failing and bureaucratically inefficient.

Economic Challenges Facing Panama

• The country faces significant economic challenges including high unemployment rates, a substantial public deficit, and an increasing external debt. Growth projections for this year are expected to be between 2.5% and 3.5%, down from 7.3% in 2023.

Impact on Key Sectors

• The ongoing drought has negatively impacted the Panama Canal's operations, affecting ship circulation and revenue generated from transit fees.

Migration Issues

• Migration remains another critical area within Mulino's reform agenda; however, specific details regarding proposed changes have yet to be disclosed.