Panamanian general election, 1948
Encyclopedia
The Panama held a general election on 27 May 1948, electing both a new President of the Republic and a new National Assembly.
"For the 1948 campaign the reigning Liberal Doctrinaire Party chose 73-year-old Domingo Díaz Arosemena
as its candidate. Arnulfo Arias Madrid
rose from the political dead, dusted off his ‘panameñismo’ nationalism, and in an initial count by the National Elections Board apparently won the presidency by 1500 votes. Díaz
supporters thereupon attacked the Board. At this point José Antonio Remón Cantera
, head of the National Guard, took charge. Under his protection the Elections Board magically made enough of Arias
’s votes disappear so Díaz
became President".
The National Electoral Jury announced the final results on 7 August according Díaz
a majority of 2,364 votes.
took a six month leave for health reasons. The First Vice-President Daniel Chanis Pinzón
was sworn in as acting chief executive. Chanis
became president following Arosemena
's death on 23 August 1949.
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
's presidency came to an end on 20 November. Police Chief José Antonio Remón Cantera
led a coup d'état in response to Chanis
's refusal to overturn a Panama Supreme Court decision invalidating a contract between an abbatoir that was "part of José Antonio Remón Cantera
's business empire" and several powerful Panamanian families. Daniel Chanis Pinzón
had asked for Remón
's resignation previously, and, when Remón
refused, tendered his own resignation in protest. Whether this resignation was voluntary or forced by Remón
is unclear, although it would appear that foreign diplomatic pressure, not wanting to see full out bloodshed, encouraged the resignation.
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
was replaced by Second Vice-President, and Remón
's cousin, Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón
.
But Roberto Chiari
, lacked effective political support; after two days Chanis
tried a comeback. He rescinded his resignation in the presence of the National Assembly, then led a hastily organized march on the palace to reclaim his job. Police turned the marchers back with tear gas and gunfire. Then the Supreme Court decided to review the constitutionality of the Chiari
regime. That convinced Remón
that he would have to try a third President. Even before the court spoke, the disgusted strong man cried: "If they want legality, I'll give them legality. I'll give them Arnulfo!". Arnulfo Arias Madrid
would have won the 1948 presidential elections if an electoral jury had not thrown out 2,714 of his ballots. When the Supreme Court declared ousted Daniel Chanis
still the lawful President, Remón
went straight to Arnulfo's Bella Vista home and invited the man he helped toss out in 1941 to take over at the palace. Quickly summoned crowds rushed to the Presidencia and roared approval as Remón
, presenting the new President, shouted: "Arias
is legality." Arnulfistas who had been dodging Remón
's cops for years yelled: "Viva Remón
!" Within hours, the electoral jury amiably announced that Arnulfo Arias
had really won in 1948 after all and should be President now.
On 7 May 1951 the 1946 constitution was abrogated to make way for the return of the 1941 constitution, , which gave the President broader powers and a longer term of office (six years instead of four)
After suspending the 1946 constitution, Arnulfo Arias Madrid
tried to destroy the National Assembly and Supreme Court. On 9 May the Assembly retaliated by impeaching him and electing the First Vice-President Alcibíades Arosemena
as President. Arias
asked Remón
for protection. Concluding that Arias
could no longer be trusted, Remón
sided with the Assembly. But when Remón
’s two top aides served the eviction notice on the President, Arias
’s supporters killed both in cold blood. The Assembly brought Arias
to trial, stripped him of all political rights, and sent him off into exile.
"For the 1948 campaign the reigning Liberal Doctrinaire Party chose 73-year-old Domingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
as its candidate. Arnulfo Arias Madrid
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
rose from the political dead, dusted off his ‘panameñismo’ nationalism, and in an initial count by the National Elections Board apparently won the presidency by 1500 votes. Díaz
Domingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
supporters thereupon attacked the Board. At this point José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
, head of the National Guard, took charge. Under his protection the Elections Board magically made enough of Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
’s votes disappear so Díaz
Domingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
became President".
The National Electoral Jury announced the final results on 7 August according Díaz
Domingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
a majority of 2,364 votes.
Presidential election results
| Candidate | Party/Alliance | Votes (05.1948) | % (05.1948) | Votes (11.1949) | % (11.1949) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domingo Díaz Arosemena Domingo Díaz Arosemena Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party.... |
Liberal Union (UL) | 76,459 | 38.54% | 71,536 | ?? |
| Chiarista Liberal Party (PLCh) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Liberal Doctrinaire Party (PLD) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Liberal Renewal Party (PLR) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| United Liberal Party (PLU) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Arnulfo Arias | Authentic Revolutionary Party Authentic Revolutionary Party The Authentic Revolutionary Party was a right-wing political party in Bolivia.The Authentic Revolutionary Party was founded in 1959 as a faction of the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement , the ruling party under the presidency of Víctor Paz Estenssoro by Wálter Guevara Arze,... (PRA) |
71,897 | 36.25% | 74.080 | ?? |
| José Isaac Fábrega | 41,296 | 20.82% | ?? | ?? | |
| National Revolutionary Party (PNR) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Renewal Party Renewal Party The Renewal Party was a Panamanian right liberal political party.The Renewal Party was founded in 1947 by one of the Liberal Unification factions.... (PREN) |
?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Sergio González Ruiz | 5,634 | 02.84% | ?? | ?? | |
| Popular Union Party Popular Union Party (Panama) The Popular Union Party was a Panamanian centrist liberal political party.It was founded in 1947 by Sergio González Ruiz.Sergio González Ruiz was one of leaders of the Community Action... (PUP) |
?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Patriotic Front (FP) | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | |
| Demetrio Augusto Porras | Socialist Party Socialist Party (Panama) The Socialist Party was a Panamanian left-wing political party created in 1933 by intellectuals and labor unionists who split off from the Liberal Party and rejected the Communist Party.... (PS) |
3,075 | 01.55% | ?? | ?? |
| Total valid votes | 198,361 | 100% | |||
| Spoilt and invalid votes | 17,853 | 08.26% | |||
| Total votes/Turnout | 216,214 | 70.86% | |||
| Registered voters | 305,123 | ||||
| Population | 760,000 | ||||
Legislative election
| Parties and alliances | Votes/districts | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Union (UL) | ?? | ?? | 17 |
| Chiarista Liberal Party (PLCh) | ?? | ?? | ?? |
| Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) | ?? | ?? | ?? |
| Liberal Doctrinaire Party (PLD) | ?? | ?? | ?? |
| Liberal Renewal Party (PLR) | ?? | ?? | ?? |
| United Liberal Party (PLU) | ?? | ?? | ?? |
| Authentic Revolutionary Party Authentic Revolutionary Party The Authentic Revolutionary Party was a right-wing political party in Bolivia.The Authentic Revolutionary Party was founded in 1959 as a faction of the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement , the ruling party under the presidency of Víctor Paz Estenssoro by Wálter Guevara Arze,... (PRA) |
?? | ?? | 12 |
| National Revolutionary Party (PNR) | ?? | ?? | 03 |
| Renewal Party Renewal Party The Renewal Party was a Panamanian right liberal political party.The Renewal Party was founded in 1947 by one of the Liberal Unification factions.... (PREN) |
?? | ?? | 07 |
| Popular Union Party Popular Union Party (Panama) The Popular Union Party was a Panamanian centrist liberal political party.It was founded in 1947 by Sergio González Ruiz.Sergio González Ruiz was one of leaders of the Community Action... (PUP) |
?? | ?? | 02 |
| Patriotic Front (FP) | ?? | ?? | 00 |
| Socialist Party Socialist Party (Panama) The Socialist Party was a Panamanian left-wing political party created in 1933 by intellectuals and labor unionists who split off from the Liberal Party and rejected the Communist Party.... (PS) |
?? | ?? | 00 |
| Independent | ?? | ?? | 01 |
| Total valid votes | ?? | 100% | 42 |
| Spoilt and invalid votes | ?? | ?? | |
| Total votes/Turnout | ?? | ?? | |
| Registered voters | 305,123 | ||
| Population | 760,000 | ||
Aftermath
On 28 July 1949 the president Domingo Díaz ArosemenaDomingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
took a six month leave for health reasons. The First Vice-President Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
was sworn in as acting chief executive. Chanis
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
became president following Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena
Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
's death on 23 August 1949.
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
's presidency came to an end on 20 November. Police Chief José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
led a coup d'état in response to Chanis
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
's refusal to overturn a Panama Supreme Court decision invalidating a contract between an abbatoir that was "part of José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
's business empire" and several powerful Panamanian families. Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
had asked for Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
's resignation previously, and, when Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
refused, tendered his own resignation in protest. Whether this resignation was voluntary or forced by Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
is unclear, although it would appear that foreign diplomatic pressure, not wanting to see full out bloodshed, encouraged the resignation.
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
was replaced by Second Vice-President, and Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
's cousin, Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón
Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón
Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón was the President of Panama in 1949 and from 1960 to 1964. He belonged to the Liberal Party.-Before being president:...
.
But Roberto Chiari
Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón
Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón was the President of Panama in 1949 and from 1960 to 1964. He belonged to the Liberal Party.-Before being president:...
, lacked effective political support; after two days Chanis
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
tried a comeback. He rescinded his resignation in the presence of the National Assembly, then led a hastily organized march on the palace to reclaim his job. Police turned the marchers back with tear gas and gunfire. Then the Supreme Court decided to review the constitutionality of the Chiari
Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón
Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón was the President of Panama in 1949 and from 1960 to 1964. He belonged to the Liberal Party.-Before being president:...
regime. That convinced Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
that he would have to try a third President. Even before the court spoke, the disgusted strong man cried: "If they want legality, I'll give them legality. I'll give them Arnulfo!". Arnulfo Arias Madrid
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
would have won the 1948 presidential elections if an electoral jury had not thrown out 2,714 of his ballots. When the Supreme Court declared ousted Daniel Chanis
Daniel Chanis Pinzón
Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón...
still the lawful President, Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
went straight to Arnulfo's Bella Vista home and invited the man he helped toss out in 1941 to take over at the palace. Quickly summoned crowds rushed to the Presidencia and roared approval as Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
, presenting the new President, shouted: "Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
is legality." Arnulfistas who had been dodging Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
's cops for years yelled: "Viva Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
!" Within hours, the electoral jury amiably announced that Arnulfo Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
had really won in 1948 after all and should be President now.
On 7 May 1951 the 1946 constitution was abrogated to make way for the return of the 1941 constitution, , which gave the President broader powers and a longer term of office (six years instead of four)
After suspending the 1946 constitution, Arnulfo Arias Madrid
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
tried to destroy the National Assembly and Supreme Court. On 9 May the Assembly retaliated by impeaching him and electing the First Vice-President Alcibíades Arosemena
Alcibíades Arosemena
Alcibíades Arosemena Quinzada was Panamanian politician.He served as First Vice President in the cabinet of Arnulfo Arias and was also President of Panama from May 9, 1951 to October 1, 1952. He belonged to the Authentic Revolutionary Party ....
as President. Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
asked Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
for protection. Concluding that Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
could no longer be trusted, Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
sided with the Assembly. But when Remón
José Antonio Remón Cantera
José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition....
’s two top aides served the eviction notice on the President, Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
’s supporters killed both in cold blood. The Assembly brought Arias
Arnulfo Arias
Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :...
to trial, stripped him of all political rights, and sent him off into exile.