Panama to choose new president against backdrop of social unrest and drought

Country to vote on Sunday after supreme court allows leading presidential contender to remain in the race

Panama's supreme court has rejected a move to disqualify the candidacy of the leading presidential contender, Jose Raul Mulino, two days before the country's election on Sunday.

The ruling early on Friday removes an element of uncertainty in the vote, but the country remains racked by social discontent, against a backdrop of mass protests, economic slowdown, drought in the Panama Canal and the closure of one of the world's largest copper mines.