Vive les Francais; adios, ALBA-tross

French elections In Panama? Mais, oui. On June 7 all French citizens registered in Panama (568) were called to the polls to elect representatives as Counselors to the French Assembly for Citizens Living abroad. This is a three to six-year advisory position that interacts with the French government and advises government officials on all issues facing French citizens living abroad. 107 persons voted, which gives a turnout of 18.8%, according to Catherine Peck , Consul of the French Embassy in Panama. Although French residents are permitted to vote electronically, their turnout pales in comparison with Panamanian voter participation of over 80 percent in some districts in last May’s general election.

Mysterious Ex-pats? Speaking of how many foreigners are living in Panama, most agree the numbers are fairly shaky. The former Canadian Ambassador, Jose Herran-Lima once told me, jokingly, “79”, or at least that’s the number of Canadians who are registered at the Embassy”. Later he confirmed that the embassy’s best estimate is that there are about 1,500 Canadians spread out between Panama City and its suburbs, the Pacific beaches, and in the province of Chiriqui (Boquete included).

How many Americans are here? Again it’s an estimate that’s hard to verify. American Ambassador Barbara Stephenson told one confirmation hearing that there were between 25,000-30,000 American residents in Panama. With a fudge factor of 20 percent, my intuition is that she isn’t sure, which is understandable.

Many people reside in Panama as tourists and go back and forth when their tourist cards expire every ninety days. Cards had a 30-day expiry period for a time last year, but this measure was rescinded. Other residents don’t want to be found for a variety of reasons: running from alimony, bad business dealings, or a history in other countries as scammers or pedophiles. The Panamanian government assumes these people left when their cards expired.

A One-percent Minority. So, no matter how you cut the pie, there are probably fewer than 33,000 North Americans residing in Panama, or just under one-percent of the Panamanian population. Yet, the huge impact ex-pats once had on Panama’s culture, politics, and economy is undeniable. But that was then and this is now.

Those days are long gone. Witness Panama’s refusal to buckle under the U. S. Congress Free Trade Treaty amendments relative to Panama’s banking and labor laws. I’m in favor of the amendments, but I recognize it’s a question for Panamanians to decide.

Yes, it’s mildly annoying and a bit amusing to see ex-Zonians come here and speak of Panama as ‘them’. They’d like to wag the tail of the Panamanian ‘cachorro’, as before, not knowing that they are no longer the tail, perhaps some other appendage, but certainly not the tail.

Bosco for Governor ! If Bosco Vallarino is found ineligible to sit as Mayor of Panama, President-elect Ricardo Martinelli could name him Governor of Kuna Yala to replace disgraced Rogelio Alba , the former Deputy, who resigned with six criminal investigations pending and is seen as Kuna non grata by his own people.

Elected Misbehaviour. Speaking of persons elected to office with guilty verdicts or investigations pending, why are many so pig-headed and cling to their posts. Honorable people resign or step aside at once until their name is cleared. This applies to government ambassadors, officials, lawyers, and ex-pat associations. Board members of one ex-pat group, in particular, know of whom I am speaking.

I learned to appreciate this approach while serving on the Bar Association Board in Canada. Lawyers who were investigated by the Association, were not allowed to practice or hold office, no matter how eloquently they argued that it was unfair to them. When you represent any government in Panama, or the citizenry in any capacity, there must be a higher standard.