Former President Attacks Current Administration
Story La Prensa
Former President Ernesto Pérez Balladares called the Ricardo Martinelli administration "autocratic" and "fascist" for the manner in which it decided to cancel the direct grants for operation of casinos and bingo halls granted during his term in office (1994-1999).
Those comments surfaced amid internal struggles for control of the main opposition party, Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD), of which Pérez Balladares has been a leading figure for many years.
During an interview on the political talk show "Open Debate" (Channel 4) Sunday, Pérez Balladares cited the current government's decision to suspend a meeting with business owners in the Colón Free Zone and the general "reign of terror within the public ministries" as support for his comments.
He did acknowledge, however, his backing of recent measures aimed at lowering the price of electricity and audits of the toll roads serving the metropolitan area.
On the issue of taxing business within the Free Zone, the former head-of-state said it a comparative analysis with similar zones is necessary. He did note that when he attempted reforms of the marketplace in 1996, Canon and Samsung both withdrew for the most part from the country.
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