Yesterday the preliminary results of Sunday's parliamentary elections in Cuba were published. Despite the bad weather, more than 95% of voters went to the polls to vote for candidates for the National Assembly of People's Power (NAPA) and provincial assemblies. There are no opposition movements in the country; the constitution enshrines the leading role of the Communist Party. According to Cuban media, candidates include “workers, intellectuals, athletes, scientists, journalists, heroes of labor, representatives of religious organizations and the armed forces.” Among the candidates for 614 seats in parliament were the Castro brothers: the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, 81-year-old Fidel , as well as 76-year-old Raul, who took over the reins of power in July 2006 due to the poor health of his older brother. Fidel voted in a rehabilitation center where he is undergoing treatment. On February 24, the updated NANV will elect a new composition of the State Council, which will include 31 deputies. Traditionally, at the first session of the NANV, the head of state is elected - the President of the State Council. Since 1976, this post has been permanently held by Fidel Castro. However, at the end of 2007, he said that it was his duty “not to cling to positions and not to block the path of younger people.”
