Panama candidates battle for top spot in polls

Panamanians can expect a tight finish when they go to the polls to elect their next president, according to the last two polls allowed before next week's vote.

One of the surveys gave Democratic Revolution Party candidate Juan Navarro the lead over Jose Arias, his rival from the conservative Democratic Change party of outgoing President Ricardo Martinelli, while another poll showed Arias beating Navarro.

The winner of the race will inherit a strong but slowing growth rate in the Central American country and will oversee the completion of a multibillion-dollar expansion of the Panama Canal, which was disrupted this year by a dispute over cost overruns.

Source: Reuters