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Panama's governing party picks first lady as its vice presidential candidate for May election

Associated Press
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FILE - In this April 13, 2012 file photo, Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli accompanied by his wife, first lady Marta Linares, stand near a microphone to address the media, after arriving in Cartagena, Colombia. Panama’s governing party has chosen President Ricardo Martinelli’s wife as its vice presidential nominee for the May 4 elections. Linares will be running with Democratic Change presidential hopeful Jose Domingo Arias, who leads in opinion polls. Arias made the announcement Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, saying Linares’ nomination will give continuity to Martinelli’s policies. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 16, 2013 file photo, Spanish Princess Elena de Borbon, left, talks with Panama’s first lady Marta Linares at the opening ceremony of a comprehensive care center in the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City. Panama’s governing party has chosen President Ricardo Martinelli’s wife as its vice presidential nominee for the May 4 elections. Linares will be running with Democratic Change presidential hopeful Jose Domingo Arias, who leads in opinion polls. Arias made the announcement Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, saying Linares’ nomination will give continuity to Martinelli’s policies. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco, File) (The Associated Press)

Panama's governing party has chosen President Ricardo Martinelli's wife as its vice presidential nominee for the May 4 elections.

First lady Marta Linares will be running with Democratic Change presidential hopeful Jose Domingo Arias, who leads in opinion polls. Arias made the announcement Wednesday, saying Linares' nomination will give continuity to Martinelli's policies.

Martinelli's five-year term ends July 1 and the constitution prevents him from seeking re-election.

Martinelli won the presidency in 2009 as the Democratic Change party's candidate and had the backing of two other parties. That alliance broke up in 2011, and current Vice President Juan Carlos Varela is one of the main opposition candidates for the presidency.