UPDATE 1-Millionaire magnate lures poor in Panama election

Source: Reuters


PANAMA CITY, May 3 (Reuters) - Panama could elect a multimillionaire supermarket magnate as president on Sunday, as conservative Ricardo Martinelli's knack for business draws poor voters worried about an economic crisis and high inflation.

Polls have given Martinelli a double-digit lead over the center-left ruling party candidate Balbina Herrera, bucking a left-wing trend in Latin America, as the government has struggled to rein in crime and high food and fuel prices.

Concern about the flagging economy and high inflation has dominated surveys. One showed Martinelli backed by 53 percent of voters in the lowest income bracket and with a huge 45-point lead over Herrera in poor areas near the capital. Nationwide, an April 23 survey gave Martinelli a 14-point lead.

"Every 15 days I go to the market and food prices are higher. You can't buy meat anymore," said Oreida Sanchez, 36, a teacher, after casting a vote for Martinelli's Democratic Change (CD) party in the run-down neighborhood of Calidonia.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. (1200 GMT) and will close at 4 p.m. (2100 GMT).

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0336935020090503

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0336935020090503

And do people trust business more than politics?

are too high?

Apparently people in Panama are as gullible as people here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8031425.stm

Rightist businessman Ricardo Martinelli has been declared the winner in Panama's presidential election.

With about half of the votes counted he had 60% of the vote, compared to 37% for his rival, the ruling party's Balbina Herrera.

Correspondents say Mr Martinelli, of the Democratic Change party, appealed to poor voters by promising to tackle corruption and crime.

He will now oversee a multi-billion dollar expansion of the Panama Canal.

that vote for the right!