Panama: Government Structure

Panama functions as a presidential representative democracy with power divided among executive, legislative, and judicial branches under a classic separation-of-powers model rather than a parliamentary system. The president is not accountable to the legislature to remain in office, and the National Assembly cannot be dissolved by the executive, giving each branch a defined and largely independent sphere of authority.

The president is elected by direct popular vote for a single five-year term and cannot seek immediate re-election, with two vice presidents elected on the same ticket. As head of state, the president represents Panama internationally and oversees the country's security forces; as head of government, the president sets domestic policy and appoints a cabinet of ministers to run individual executive departments. Legislative authority belongs to the unicameral National Assembly, currently composed of 71 deputies serving five-year terms, elected through a mix of single-member districts and multi-member constituencies depending on a province's population. The Assembly passes laws, approves the national budget, ratifies international treaties, and can summon government ministers to answer questions.

Judicial power rests with the Supreme Court of Justice and a system of subordinate tribunals, which interpret Panamanian law independently of the other two branches. This structure has remained largely stable since the restoration of democratic governance in 1989.