President Juan Carlos Varela,  announced on Saturday, May 5, that the General Election of May 2019  will be used to kick-start consultations leading to a new constitution for Panama.

The President said that he has given instructions to Minister of the Presidency, Álvaro Alemán to meet with representatives of unions, parties, and civil society, in order to explore the possibility of convening a Constituent Assembly with a foundation in Article 314 of the Constitution.

He said that two days earlier he met with the Electoral Tribunal Magistrates to inform them that he had the decision to initiate the consultation process with a view to the creation of a new constitutional order for the country.

He said that he hopes that the debate of the candidates in the next elections will be respectful and will not be based on recriminations, because the commitment of the politicians is to elevate the discourse.

Members of Panama's three leading parties have been involved in bitter infighting during recent parliamentary sessions, including threats of physical violence, and lawmakers have been at odds with the Executive and the Supreme Court but they band together when voting on their privileges and perks.