Panama debates new constitution amid criticism of stalled public concessions

Panama is considering convening a constitutional assembly in 2027, sparking a debate on whether a new constitution is needed and, more importantly, on the development model and social contract the country should adopt for future generations. The discussion highlights persistent territorial and social inequalities, gaps in education and health, informal employment, and declining trust in institutions, urging a broad national consensus before drafting any constitutional text.

An investigation by TVN examined four public concessions—energy, electricity distribution, waste management, and ports—and found contracts consistently favoured private firms, limited competition, and suffered from delayed or weak state oversight, ultimately burdening citizens with higher costs. A highlighted case is the Chan III hydro‑electric project in Bocas del Toro, awarded to Odebrecht under former President Ricardo Martinelli, which has been stalled for two decades. Janine Prado warned, "Definitivamente hay una falla estructural grave y sistematizada a lo largo de los años," describing a systemic flaw that allows such projects to languish.

Both issues underscore broader concerns about Panama's governance, development strategy, and the need for transparent, accountable public‑private partnerships.