The National Assembly of People's Power ( es, Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular) is the
unicameral parliament of the
Republic of Cuba. It is currently composed of 605 representatives who are elected from multi-member electoral districts for a term of five years. The current
President of the Assembly is
Esteban Lazo Hernández. The Assembly only meets twice a year, with the 31-member
Council of State exercising legislative power throughout the rest of the year. The
most recent elections were held on 11 March 2018. After the 2023 elections, the number of representatives will decrease to 474.
Voters can select individual candidates on their
ballot, select every candidate, or leave every question blank, with no option to vote against candidates. During the 2013 elections, around 80% of voters selected every candidate for the Assembly on their ballot, while 4.6% submit a blank ballot; no candidate for the Assembly has ever lost an election in Cuban history.
Overview
The Assembly is a
unicameral (one-chamber) parliament and the only body in Cuba that is vested with both constituent and legislative authority (although the government may pass
decrees that have the force of law). It holds two regular sessions a year, which are public unless the Assembly itself votes to hold them behind closed doors for reasons of state. It has permanent commissions to look after issues of legislative interest at times when the Assembly is not in session.
Under the
Constitution of Cuba, the Assembly is the "supreme body of state power" in Cuba. The National Assembly has the power to amend the Constitution; to pass, amend, and repeal laws; to debate and approve national plans for
economic development, the State budget, credit and financial programs; and to set guidelines for domestic and
foreign policies. It hears the reports from national government and administration agencies and can also grant amnesties. Among its permanent or temporary commissions are those in charge of issues concerning the economy, the sugar industry, food production, industries, transportation and communications, constructions, foreign affairs,
public health,
defense, and interior order. The National Assembly also has permanent departments that oversee the work of the Commissions, Local Assemblies,
Judicial Affairs, and Administration.
History
During the existence of the
First Republic, Cuba had a
bicameral legislature, that – consisting of the Senate (upper house) and House of Representatives (lower house) – was modeled after the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
. Its sessions were held in
El Capitolio from 1929 to 1959.
The Assembly originated from the nationwide elections held in 1976 following the ratification of the
1976 Constitution. Elected officials, according to the procedures established by law, met for the first time on 2 December 1976, thus formally setting up the Cuban Parliament. The Constitution, approved in a
constitutional referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
on 14 February 1976, empowered the National Assembly as the supreme body of State power.
Elections
:''See main article:
Elections in Cuba
Elections in Cuba are held at municipal, provincial, and national levels. Cuba is a one-party state, with the Communist Party of Cuba being described as the "superior driving force of the society and the state" in the Constitution of Cuba, and al ...
''
The assembly representatives are elected from each district across Cuba every five years. Half of the candidates are nominated at public meetings before gaining approval from electoral committees, while the other half are nominated by public solidarity organizations (such as
trade unions, farmers' organizations, and
students' unions).
In keeping with the provisions of the Constitution, the Assembly itself elects the 31 members of the Council of State; their terms expire when a new Assembly is elected. The assembly elects the President and Vice President of the Republic, and also the Secretary of the Council of State, who must report to the National Assembly on all its work and tasks. It also elects the Prime Minister and the members of the
Council of Ministers
A council is a group of people who come together to consult, deliberate, or make decisions. A council may function as a legislature, especially at a town, city or county/ shire level, but most legislative bodies at the state/provincial or ...
, the Chief Justice and members of the
Supreme Court, and the Attorney General's Office of Cuba.
In concordance with the 2018-19 amendments to the Constitution, by right the President of the National Assembly is president of the Council of State ''ex officio'', with the first vice president of the Council exercising his or her duties if absent. If absent from the duties of the presidency of the Assembly, the Vice President of the National Assembly serves the office.
Composition
Up to 50% of the candidates must be chosen by the Municipal Assemblies. The candidates are otherwise proposed by nominating assemblies, which comprise representatives of workers, youth, women, students, and farmers, as well as members of the
Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, after initial mass meetings soliciting a first list of names. The final list of candidates is drawn up by the National Candidature Commission taking into account criteria such as candidates' merit, patriotism, ethical values, and revolutionary history.
Elections and Events 1991-2001
UCSD Libraries
Legislatures
See also
* Congress of Cuba
The Congress of Cuba () was the legislature of Cuba from 1902 until the Cuban revolution of 1959.
The Congress consisted of the 150-member Chamber of Representatives (''Cámara de Representantes'') and the 54-member Senate (''Cámara del Senad ...
, bicameral legislature of Cuba 1902–1958
* Politics of Cuba
Cuba has had a socialist political system since 1959 based on the "one state – one party" principle. Cuba is constitutionally defined as a Marxist–Leninist state. The present Constitution of Cuba, which was passed in a 2019 referendum, also ...
* List of legislatures by country
This is a list of legislatures by country. A " legislature" is the generic name for the national parliaments and congresses that act as a plenary general assembly of representatives and that have the power to legislate. All entities included ...
Notes
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Assembly Of People's Power
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribb ...
Government of Cuba
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribb ...
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribb ...
1976 establishments in Cuba