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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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Supermarket Magnate Wins Panama Election

Landslide offers rare right-wing victory in Latin America

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(Newser) – A conservative supermarket owner won a landslide victory in Panama's presidential election, in a rare win for the political right in the region. Ricardo Martinelli, a multimillionaire who financed his own campaign, vowed to expand investment in the Panama Canal and introduce a flat tax. "We can't continue to have a country where 40% of Panamanians are poor," he said in his victory speech.

Panama's presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli celebrates his election victory in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Panama's presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli celebrates his election victory in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Panama's presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli gives a thumbs up during his victory speech in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Panama's presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli gives a thumbs up during his victory speech in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Ricardo Martinelli, presidential candidate of the Democratic Change party, votes during presidential elections in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Ricardo Martinelli, presidential candidate of the Democratic Change party, votes during presidential elections in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Supporters of presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli wave the Democratic Change political party's flag as they celebrate Martinelli's election victory in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Supporters of presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli wave the Democratic Change political party's flag as they celebrate Martinelli's election victory in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tito Herrera)
Panama's presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli speaks to supporters as he celebrates his election victory in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Panama's presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli speaks to supporters as he celebrates his election victory in Panama City, Sunday, May 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
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Doctor_Supercilious
May 4, 09 5:45 AM CDT
And how does a flat tax help the poor? If anything it places a greater burden on them.... Reply
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