Cuban Leaders Propose Reducing Presidential Term in Office

Raul Castro (blogs.abcnews.com)

Cuban leader Raul Castro told the 1,000 delegates of the party gathered at a four-day congress that the idea of a two five-years terms for the presidency should be embraced as it would ensure the “rejuvenation” in the decision-making process.

The idea was already cheered by the population, which expressed its support, although remained a little skeptical about the ulterior motives that may drive the leaders of the country to apply such a political change.

79-year-old Raul Castro explained that the move could not have been applied earlier because of the conditions in which the socialist revolution happened.

Cuban Congress of Communist Party (capitolhillcubans.com)

In his own words, continuity needed to be ensured through the moments that followed grabbing power, so that the country may have a steady response to the challenges it faced.

Now that it was consolidated, the president continued, there is no need to continue with this system.

Castro also said that a firm decision about this would be made next January, and that it would apply to his term also.

The current leadership of the island is made of people in their 70s or 80s, and it is only normal, according to many Cubans, that they may realize that fresh blood must be brought on board to assure continuity.

Some people consider it a mere scheme intended to keep the Communists in power for as long as it can be.

The congress of the Communist party is expected to approve 311 new laws that would change the Soviet-style economy to match the challenges of the new realities of the world.

Many of these changes have already been applied to the Cuban economy, thus ensuring the surviving of the country’s economy through the global crisis.

Another topic on the agenda is electing the leadership, with Raul Castro taking officially the position of secretary general from his brother, Fidel.

The session on Sunday was held away from the international press, as it was the day of the 50th anniversary of the failed invasion of Pigs’ Gulf, in an attempt to topple Fidel’s regime.