Government

According to its Constitution, Panama is a republic. The Constitution grants the people such rights as freedom of speech and religion. Panamanians 18 years of age or older may vote in elections.

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National government of Panama is headed by a president. The president is elected to a five-year term by the people. A Cabinet assists the president in carrying out the day-to-day operations of the government. The National Assembly makes the country's laws. The people elect the members of the National Assembly to five-year terms.

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Local government. Panama is divided into nine provinces and three indigenous territories, called comarcas, for the purposes of local government. The provinces are subdivided into municipal districts. The president appoints a governor to head each province. The people elect mayors and councils to govern Panama's districts. Local government officials in Panama have little policymaking authority. In general, these officials simply carry out policies made by the national government.

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Politics. Panama has a number of political parties. The major parties include the Democratic Revolutionary Party and the Panameñista Party.

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Courts. The Supreme Court is Panama's highest court. It hears appeals from lower courts. It has nine members, who are appointed by the president to 10-year terms. Panama's lower courts include superior, circuit, and municipal courts.

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Armed forces. Panama has no regular armed forces. Security is provided by the Public Forces. These civilian forces are the National Police, the National Air Service, and the National Maritime Service. Together they have about 12,000 members. Service is voluntary.

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