Panama president-elect presents key ministers

Source: Xinhua | 05-11-2009 11:27

PANAMA CITY, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Panama's President-elect Ricardo Martinelli Sunday announced 14 cabinet ministers and warned them of not committing corruption.

Martinelli, who will take office on July 1, warned the ministers at a press conference that his administration will accept errors but not corruption.

He named Professor Alma Cortez from the University of Panama as labor minister and Giselle de Calcagno, a dissident from the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party, as minister for small and medium enterprises.

As for foreign minister and first vice-president, Martinelli named 45-year-old Juan Carlos Varela, owner of the Varela Bros, wine business.

Varela, leader of the Panama Party, is one of Martinelli's closest allies and a fierce critic of traditional politics. He is also the architect of the 100-dollar payment plan.

Martinelli said that he would name the education minister next week, a tough post which has seen four different officials during the outgoing administration of Martin Torrijos.

"We are inheriting a world economic crisis and we have less than 60 days to study the budget, discover the truth about our economy and confront the changes we are waiting for," said Martinelli.

"In my government you can put your foot in your mouth, but not your hand in the till," he said. "I know what we are facing, and I know it will not be easy," he said.

Martinelli's government plans to give 100 U.S. dollars to all over-70s who do not have health insurance, building a metro, boosting housing in working class areas, school grants and a lower cost of living.

Editor:Zhang Yun