National Assembly of Panama

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The National Assembly (Spanish: Asamblea Nacional), formerly the Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama.

It is a unicameral legislature, currently made up of 78 members, who serve five-year terms. Legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis, while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula.

Panama's legislative elections are held in parallel to its presidential elections. The most recent were the 1999 election and the 2004 election.

Panama also returns a delegation of 20 deputies to the supranational Central American Parliament.

Contents

[edit] President of the Assembly

The National Assembly is chaired by a president (speaker), elected by the deputies from among their number. The 1 September 2007 election of Pedro Miguel González Pinzón as President of the Assembly has generated unprecedented levels of protest, both locally as well as internationally.[citation needed] He is sought by United States authorities who have indicted him for the murder of U.S. Army Sgt. Zak Hernández in 1992.

[edit] Latest election

Main article: Panamanian election, 2004
[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 2 May 2004 National Assembly of Panama election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Democratic Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Democrático) 37.8 41
Arnulfista Party (Partido Arnulfista ) 19.2 17
Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad) 15.7 9
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista) 8.6 4
Democratic Change (Cambio Democrático) 7.4 3
People's Party (Partido Popular) 6.0 1
National Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Nacional) 5.2 3
Total (turnout 76.9 %)   78
Source: Source: Tribunal Electoral de Panama

[edit] Party strengths in the Assembly

The following table shows the composition of the Legislative Assembly at the start of the two most recent periods.

Party 1999 2004
  Arnulfista Party (PA)
18
16
  Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD)
34
42
  Christian Democratic Party (PDC)
5
  Solidarity Party (PS)
4
9
  Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA) 
3
4
  National Liberal Party (PLN)
3
3
  Democratic Change (CD)
2
3
  Civic Renewal Party (PRC)
1
  National Renovation Movement (MORENA)
1
  People's Party (Panama)
1
1
  disputed/undecided
1
0
   Total
72
78


[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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