A wealthy supermarket magnate is the frontrunner in Panama's upcoming presidential election, with voters seeking reassurance about their economy in the midst of the global economic crisis. Ricardo Martinelli, a pro-business conservative, holds a significant lead in polls over Balbina Herrera of the ruling party, who has a controversial past and ties to a former military leader. The current President's party, the PRD, has lost popularity due to rising prices and crime rates, leading some voters to express frustration with unfulfilled promises and the lack of stability in the cost of living. Panama's strong economy, fueled by luxury apartment construction, US-Asia trade through the canal, and a robust banking sector, has led Latin America in growth for the past two years. However, analysts predict a slowdown to 3 percent or less this year due to decreasing credit availability, a drop in canal traffic, and slowing activity in the Caribbean free-trade zone. This has caused concern for voters dealing with high inflation and crime rates. Despite this, Martinelli has a lead in the polls and only needs to gain more votes than his rival to win, even if he falls short of 50 percent. If elected, Martinelli, a US-educated businessman and former minister, plans to boost job growth through infrastructure spending. Martinelli expressed his intention on Friday to implement a flat tax ranging from 10 to 20 percent, with plans to increase tax rates for the banking and insurance sectors while reducing them for small-business owners. His well-funded campaign significantly exceeded Herrera's budget, and his efforts to appeal to lower-income voters, typically aligned with the PRD, included images of him assisting on a banana plantation and collecting garbage in urban areas. Additionally, his charitable work in education played a role in garnering support. According to Ercilia Ramos, a 60-year-old cattle farmer, Martinelli's wealth does not imply corruption as he is known for his philanthropic efforts towards the less fortunate. The PRD's Herrera had a conflict with Washington when she protested against former U.S. President George H.W. Bush during his visit to Panama after the 1989 U.S. invasion that removed military dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega. Despite her past ties to Noriega, who is now serving time in a Florida prison, Herrera, 54, struggles to distance herself from him. Noriega claimed he sought refuge in Herrera's home during the invasion. Despite this, she now expresses a desire to maintain strong relations with the U.S. and her campaign plans are comparable to Martinelli's. Both candidates have promised to address issues such as crime, inflation, and poverty by focusing on education and infrastructure. It is believed that neither candidate will significantly increase the budget deficit. Foreign investors have expressed confidence that Panama's economy and investment climate will remain stable regardless of the election outcome. Roger Khafif, the developer of the Trump Ocean Club in Panama City, emphasized that Panama is a favorable environment for business with minimal government interference, and he does not foresee any negative impact on his business from either candidate winning the election. An agricultural engineer who transitioned into politics after serving as a mayor, lawmaker, and housing minister, Herrera grew up in a tough neighborhood in Panama City with five siblings raised by a single mother who worked as a house cleaner. Her background resonates with voters like Maria Zuniga, a street pedicurist who sees Herrera as tough on crime and believes she will bring about positive change. Former President Guillermo Endara, 72, is a distant third in the polls with only about 5 percent support. Panamanians will also be voting for a new legislature on Sunday.