National Assembly of People's Power

National Assembly of People's Power. It is the supreme body of state power and the sole legislative authority in the Republic of Cuba. Established under the 1976 Constitution, it embodies the principle of popular sovereignty and operates as a unicameral parliament. Its members are elected to five-year terms and the assembly elects from among its deputies the country's head of state, the President of Cuba, and the members of the Council of State.

History

The institution was created following a national referendum that approved the Constitution of Cuba in 1976, replacing the previous Congress of Cuba and formalizing a new state structure after the Cuban Revolution. Its first session was held on December 2, 1976, with Blas Roca Calderio serving as its initial president. The assembly's structure and role were reaffirmed and modified by subsequent constitutional reforms, most notably through the 2019 Cuban constitutional referendum which led to the adoption of the current Constitution of Cuba. Key historical sessions have addressed major national policies, such as the economic changes during the Special Period and the transfer of leadership from Fidel Castro to Raúl Castro.

Structure and composition

The assembly operates as a unicameral body composed of 470 deputies elected from municipal constituencies. It is led by a president, currently Esteban Lazo Hernández, a vice president, Ana María Mari Machado, and a secretary, Homero Acosta Álvarez. The internal work is organized through permanent working commissions, such as those for constitutional and legal affairs, economic affairs, and international relations. For its ongoing functions between its biannual plenary sessions, the assembly elects the Council of State, a 31-member body headed by the President of Cuba, which acts on its behalf.

Powers and functions

As the supreme state organ, its constitutional powers include amending the Constitution of Cuba, enacting and modifying laws, approving the state budget and economic plans, and determining the system of courts and the attorney general's office. It holds the authority to elect, supervise, and remove the President of Cuba, the Council of State, the Council of Ministers, and other high judicial officials. It also ratifies international treaties and can declare a state of war in the event of military aggression, as outlined in the Constitution of Cuba.

Elections and membership

Deputies are elected for five-year terms through a direct, secret-ballot vote, with candidates nominated by municipal assemblies from candidacy commissions composed of mass organizations like the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, the Federation of Cuban Women, and the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba. All candidates must receive more than 50% of the valid votes cast in their constituency. The membership is designed to reflect Cuban society, comprising workers, farmers, intellectuals, and members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, with a significant portion also serving on the Council of Ministers.

Role in the Cuban political system

It functions as the institutional cornerstone of Cuba's socialist state, formally consolidating all legislative and constituent power. While it is the highest authority of the state, its political direction is set by the Communist Party of Cuba, as defined in the Constitution of Cuba. The assembly provides a forum for debating national issues and legitimizing state policy, operating in conjunction with other pillars of the system such as the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. Its relationship with the Communist Party of Cuba ensures that state policy aligns with the party's guidelines established at events like the Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Cuba Category:Unicameral legislatures