A day after the Cuban media has revealed that a Summit of the Communist Party had endorsed radical economic changes and elected a new leadership - without saying what changes or Cubans who are now supported - hope to get the details in a speech by President Raul Castro Tuesday closing.
With Raul should largely take over his brother Fidel as first Secretary of the party, all eyes will be on the selection of its new No. 2, which could be a possible successor to the favorite.
The delegates approved approximately 300 economic proposals during a vote unanimous Monday - including a measure which apparently recommends legalization of purchase and sale of private property.
A proposal to possibly eliminate the monthly ration book, which provides Cubans with a basket of base of heavily subsidized food and other goods was also on the table. Other boot for aspiring entrepreneurs capital covered measures and eliminating the unique dual-currency system of the island.
"Economic policy (approved here) follows the principle that only socialism can preserve the victories of the revolution," said Marino Murillo, an ex-économie Minister who has been in charge of implementing reforms.
The Cubans were treated to a two-hour broadcast late Monday of members of Committee of Communist Party discuss details finer a document which has not yet been rendered public, even if it is based on proposals which have been extensively in recent months.
The Congress of the party does not have the power to enact change in legislation, but the suggestions are intended to be acted upon quickly by the National Assembly on the days and weeks.
Officials called the rally to set a new course for the economy of Cuba and rejuvenate a class politics of aging, composed largely of octogenarians who led the revolution of 1959 Cuba.
Monday, an official photograph turned inside the spacious convention where the party confab unfolded showed Castro, placing his vote in a ballot box. "Nominations for members of the Central Committee," it read. A box that says "Vote for all" has been confirmed on the ballot, which indicates that Castro had approved a slate of candidates as a whole, although their names were not visible.
Fidel and Raul Castro held the top two spots in the Communist Party since its creation in 1965. But sixth Congress this year, the party, there is an air of mystery that surrounds the leadership vote.
In March, Fidel, 84, announced that he had resigned as first Secretary of the party when he ceded the Presidency to Raul several years previously, although the party's website still lists him as its Chief.
President Raul Castro of Cuba addressed to the public at the opening of the Congress-sixth of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana on 16 April. (Enrique De La Osa / Reuters)In a speech to Congress this weekend, Raul warned that a new generation is required to take charge when the old guard has disappeared.
He even proposed warrants for officials including the President - a taboo subject in the half of the century in which Cuba was governed by him or his brother. The objective is to create opportunities for younger politicians to gain experience, said Raul.
The speech has intensified employment could go to someone as Lazaro Exposito, the Communist Party young chef at Santiago de Cuba, or Murillo, the Minister of the ex-économie which took a leading role at the Congress of speculation.
Officials stressed that the changes are intended to "update" economic model for Cuba. State TV repeated Monday night that their objective is to "ensure the continuity of socialism in Cuba."
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