President’s Popularity Slides in Panama Polls

Recent public opinion polls show that President Martinelli has not been so popular in the last couple of months.

Although 68.5 percent is still a high rating, a poll conducted by Dichter & Neira for the TVN-2 television station, shows that Martinelli’s popularity fell 13 percent in February.

Fifty-five percent lamented a lack of government transparency.  Those surveyed also were not keen on the perceived increase in crime and the way the Attorney General was separated from her job.  Another 53.2 percent said freedom of speech was in danger and a large percentage view insecurity as the country’s main problem.

In a true statement, the President addressed results, saying:  ”Polls so not provide food…they don’t improve the quality of health, education or transportation.”