Sources: PA-Digital and Panama public holidays. The bill restoring the mechanism of días puente (bridge holidays) to some of Panama's public holidays was signed into law earlier this week by President, Martín Torrijos. The first public holiday to be affected will be the upcoming Martyr's Day public holiday, which will move from Wednesday, January 9, 2008, to Monday, January 7, 2008.For background information of the días puente, and a synopsis of the various stages in their restoration by law, see our posts of: August 8, August 25, September 17, October 14, and November 29.
Follow-up (January 12, 2008) In the days leading to the first día puente, January 7, Panama's media were full of vociferous attacks against this new law, from traditionalists, who feel that moving historical holidays is un-patriotic. On the other hand, reports from businesses, following that same first long weekend were extremely positive, arguing that the intended effect of the long weekend (increased domestic spending) has been achieved fully.
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