Panama’s Electoral Tribunal has cleared National Assembly President Jorge Herrera to compete for the Panameñista Party leadership. The tribunal’s Edict 29-2025-S.G., published Sunday, rejected an appeal challenging whether Herrera’s candidate slate complied with gender parity rules. This decision allows Herrera to proceed toward the party’s national convention scheduled for November 23.
The ruling represents a significant legal victory for Herrera’s faction within the historically influential political party. It specifically addresses allegations filed by fellow party member Rodrigo Esquivel, who claimed Herrera’s proposed director slate violated internal election regulations. The appeal sought to nullify Herrera’s nominations based on alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Code of Panama.
Legal Challenge Dismissed
Rodrigo Esquivel’s legal challenge argued that Herrera’s proposed list, identified as Number 2 and headed by Iraida Graell, breached Article 373 of the electoral code. That article mandates each principal candidate must have a substitute of the opposite gender. The complaint also referenced Decree 19 of 2022, which reinforces this principle for all internal party positions.
The Electoral Tribunal of Panama confirmed the earlier Resolution Number 35-2025-J4AE from November 4. That initial ruling had already declined to nullify Herrera’s nominations. Magistrate Narciso J. Arellano Moreno served as the reporting judge for this definitive decision.
“Resolved: To confirm in all its parts Resolution No. 35-2025-J4AE of November 4, 2025, issued by the Fourth Administrative Electoral Court, which resolved not to accede to the claim to declare the nullity of the nominations of the slate described as list No. 2 of national directors, principals and substitutes, headed by Iraida Graell,” the tribunal document stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Herrera’s campaign team had previously asserted the challenge relied on an unofficial and altered version of their candidate list. They maintained the official submission properly followed all established procedures and met every legal requirement for gender parity.
Path to Party Leadership
This legal clearance sets the stage for a direct contest between Jorge Herrera and businessman Carlos Raúl Piad. The Panameñista Party convention will select a provisional leadership team intended to guide the party for approximately 15 months. A definitive reorganization is planned for 2027 following the party’s performance in the 2024 general elections.
Sources within the National Committee of Elections indicated in October that the tribunal’s decision would form part of the formal pre-convention process. The ruling provides crucial momentum for Herrera’s bid to lead a party seeking renewal. This internal election occurs against the backdrop of Panama’s evolving political landscape and the tribunal electoral ongoing modernization efforts.
The tribunal based its definitive ruling on multiple legal foundations. These included Articles 372, 373, 670, and 671 of the Electoral Code alongside the Panameñista Party Statute. The approved election regulations established through Resolution number 43-DNOE from September 15 also informed the decision.
With this legal obstacle removed, political observers anticipate intensified campaigning within the Panameñista ranks. The party’s future direction hangs in the balance as these two factions prepare for their November convention showdown. This internal election could determine whether traditional political structures maintain relevance in contemporary Panamanian politics.