Panama Business Group Presses Lawmakers to Slow Electoral Code Overhaul
Panama's Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture criticized lawmakers for advancing an electoral reform bill after a committee approved it in a late-night first debate with many changes. The chamber urged the National Assembly to hold the next debate openly and without haste. Bill 699 would rewrite Panama's electoral code, but it still needs additional debates and the president's signature before taking effect.
Panama uses the U.S. dollar and has about 4.5 million residents; its canal is globally known. Lawmaking runs through one 71-seat National Assembly, with the next general election scheduled for May 2029. In 2025 the Electoral Tribunal convened parties, independents, business and civil society to draft fresh rules, yielding Bill 699, a 169-article rewrite.
On 23 September a committee passed it in first debate 7–2 after more than 50 changes. CCIAP, led by Aurelio Barría Pino, objected on 27 September. The bill still faces two debates and presidential approval; current rules remain in force. Proposed donation limits range from US$150,000–$500,000 for mayoral candidates and US$300,000–$500,000 for deputies; new parties would need over 68,000 members.
The outcome may affect how Panamanians finance campaigns and form parties. If the committee’s changes survive, donor limits and membership thresholds could influence who can compete, potentially benefiting larger organizations and complicating bids by independents or newer groups. Business groups, civil society and the Electoral Tribunal may watch whether the Assembly preserves the 2025 consensus. Voters could see the debate shape trust in electoral fairness, though the current code remains in place until the bill clears further debates and presidential approval.