After the carnival period, Panama returns to normalcy with the beginning of Lent and Ash Wednesday. In this context, all eyes are on the National Assembly, where a decision regarding the reforms to the Social Security Fund and bill 163 is expected, a discussion that is currently at a critical point.
A new proposal has emerged in this scenario: the creation of a Tripartite Commission, which must be approved in plenary to validate the review and analysis, if necessary, of the increase in retirement age and its impact on the sustainability of the pension system. This new approach has marked a shift in the debate, generating expectations among citizens.
Following the announcement of this initiative on Thursday, February 27, deputies will meet again at 11:00 am to vote on the formation of the Tripartite Commission and advance in the discussion of the articles, which must be evaluated one by one. What was supposed to be a final phase of project 163 has extended longer than expected, raising concerns among various popular organizations, which have expressed their opposition to the increase in retirement age and warned of possible protest measures.
Parliamentary groups are divided on this issue, with conflicting positions regarding the increase in retirement age. While some oppose it outright, others see this measure as a possible solution. This situation has created a climate of tension both inside and outside the Assembly, turning the discussion into a genuine legislative drama.
Project 163, presented last November and which has gone through various stages, is now in the midst of an evaluation process in plenary. However, its delay and the lack of consensus have called into question the viability of the proposal. Even the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, has expressed his willingness to veto the project if it does not meet the necessary requirements for approval.
Some deputies have labeled the project as a "Frankenstein" due to alleged legal inconsistencies it contains. This situation has generated uncertainty among political actors and society in general, who are hoping for a swift resolution to this issue that directly affects social security in Panama.
