Castro proposes term limits

Raúl Castro (pictured above) took over from his older brother Fidel in 2008. (File photo)

HAVANA, Cuba, Monday April 18, 2011 – Cuban leader Raúl Castro has proposed imposing term limits on the presidency and other high-level political posts.

He put forward the proposal during his report at the start of the 6th Congress of the Communist Party over the weekend, as he stressed that the country needed more young people in leadership positions.

“We have reached the conclusion that it is advisable to recommend limiting the time of service in high political and State positions to a maximum of two five-year terms,” Castro said. 

“This is possible and necessary under the present circumstances, quite different from those prevailing in the first decades of the Revolution that was not yet consolidated when it had already become the target of continuous threats and aggressions.”

Castro noted that the regime’s efforts to promote young people to senior positions had not succeeded.

“Life proved that we did not always make the best choice. Today, we are faced with the consequences of not having a reserve of well-trained replacements with sufficient experience and maturity to undertake the new and complex leadership responsibilities in the Party, the State and the Government,” he said, as he also pointed to the lack of systematic work and political will to secure the promotion of women, Black people and people of mixed race to decision-making positions on the basis of their merits and personal qualifications.

“It’s really embarrassing that we have not solved this problem in more than half a century. This shall weight heavily on our consciences for many years.”

However, Castro committed to solving this over the course of the next five years, although promising to avoid hasty actions and improvisations.

The 79-year-old Cuban leader who took over from his older brother Fidel in 2008, said there would be a systematic rejuvenation of all Party and management positions, from the grassroots to those with the highest responsibilities.

These and other proposals will be discussed at a National Party Conference in January next year.

Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)