Government

CUBA GOVERNMENT

According to the Cuban constitution, the country is established as an independent socialist republic. This means that it operates under a system where the means of production are controlled and owned by the government. The constitution also designates the Communist Party of Cuba as the leading force in both society and the state.

At the top of the government hierarchy is the first secretary of the Communist Party, who also serves as the President of the Council of State and the President of the Council of Ministers. These positions hold significant power and influence over the direction of the country. The members of both councils are elected by the National Assembly of People's Power.

The National Assembly is the legislative body that operates within the Cuban government. It currently consists of 470 members, each serving a five-year term. The assembly convenes twice a year, and during the periods between sessions, legislative power is held by the 21-member Council of State. Candidates for the National Assembly are subject to public referendum approval. Cuban citizens over the age of 16 who have not been convicted of a criminal offense have the right to vote.

The voting process is guided by Article 131 of the constitution, which emphasizes the principles of free, equal, and secret voting. In order to be elected, candidates for office must receive more than half of the valid votes cast in their respective electoral districts. These votes are cast through secret ballots and counted in public view.

Nominees for office are chosen through local gatherings, where multiple candidates are considered before obtaining approval from election committees. Ultimately, only one candidate is put forward for each seat, and they must secure a majority of votes in order to be elected.

It is noteworthy that 55% of the members of the National Assembly are women, reflecting a concerted effort to promote gender equality within the government.

In an interesting aspect of Cuban politics, no political party is allowed to nominate candidates or engage in campaign activities on the island. This sets Cuba apart from many other nations where political parties play a significant role in the electoral process.

The Council of Ministers is the highest-ranking executive and administrative body in the government. It is composed of the President, the First Vice President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary of the Executive Committee, the heads of national ministries, and other members as determined by law. This council represents the collective decision-making entity responsible for governing the Republic of Cuba.

From an administrative standpoint, Cuba is divided into 15 provinces and 169 municipalities. Each municipality has an elected municipal assembly, which further ensures local representation and governance. Provincial and regional executive committees are elected by the members of the National Assembly, facilitating decentralized decision-making and administrative processes.

Currently, Miguel Diaz-Canel holds several significant positions within the Cuban government. He serves as the President of the Council of State, the President of the Council of Ministers, the First Secretary of the Communist Party, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. He assumed these roles after succeeding Raul Castro as president in 2018 and as the First Secretary of the Communist Party in 2021. Diaz-Canel is the first individual born after the 1959 revolution, and not a member of the Castro family to hold all of these influential positions.

It should be noted that, despite officially retiring, Raul Castro still retains a seat in the National Assembly and holds the title of Army General. He is widely regarded as exerting significant behind-the-scenes influence on matters of state.