HAVANA, Cuba. – On the day of the victory in Playa Giron 57 years ago, it will be announced today the conformation of the Council of State elected by the deputies in the constitutive session of the National Assembly of Popular Power, attended by Cuban President Army General Raul Castro, First Secretary of the Party.

After thorough analyses and consultations with each parliamentarian, the National Candidacy Commission proposed Miguel Diaz-Canel to assume the Presidency of Cuba.
Gisela Duarte, head of the Ccommission, recalled that it was respected Raul’s will in the sixth Congress of the Party and ratified in the seventh, that his responsibility in the State and the Government would be completed by the ninth legislature.

Salvador Valdes Mesa was proposed as First Vice-President, and as Vice-Presidents Ramiro Valdes, Roberto Morales, Gladys Bejerano, Ines Maria Chapman, and Beatriz Johnson.

Representativeness of the People

In presenting to the deputies the project of candidacy to elect the members of the Council of State, Gisela Duarte, President of the Commission of National candidacy, proposed to ratify Homer Acosta as Secretary.

In the constitutive session of the ninth legislature of the Parliament it was proposed to ratify as members of the Council of State to Leopoldo Cintra Frias, Teresa Amarelle, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, Miriam Nicado, Guillermo Garcia and Bruno Rodriguez.

Also Martha del Carmen Mesa, Carlos Rafael Miranda, Susely Morfa, Rafael Santiesteban, Miguel Barnet, and Iliana Amparo Flores.

The proposals of new members of that body were Raul Alejandro Palmero, Jorge Berlanga, Yipsi Moreno, Elizabeth Pena, Yoerkys Sánchez, Ivis Niuba Villa, Barbara Alexy Terry, Reina Salermo, Rosalina Fournier, Carlos Alberto Martínez and Felicia Martinez.

Merits and Revolutionary Commitment

Gisela Duarte, president of the National Candidacy Commission, acknowledged the responsibility with which members took the individual consultations to shape the proposals of members of the Council of State.

It prevailed, she said, the willingness of those who assume such high commission to have the preparation, revolutionary commitment and merits to ensure the continuity of the Revolution´s work and the improvement of the Cuban Socialism.

It was taken into account the composition of the Assembly and the need to ensure in the Council of State the continuity and logical renewal of its members to take on the challenges that the Parliament, together with the people, will face in a complex stage of work.

In the candidacy for that body, 87, 6 per cent of deputies were born after the revolutionary triumph, with several generations represented, especially young people.

Renovation and Continuity

Esteban Lazo, re-elected as President of Parliament, ratified the commitment to continue working on the improvement of the organs of People´s Power during the ninth legislature.

Lazo recalled that 57 years ago, the exceptional qualities of Fidel remained undefeated in Giron, and under his direction it was formed the vanguard detachment that has guided the most transcendent revolution in American history.

Alina Balseiro, president of the National Electoral Commission, explained that 338 deputies in this legislature take that responsibility for the first time, and it is the second Parliament in the world with the greatest female participation.

The renewal of more than half of legislators shows the participation of the new generations in the political system and decision-making at the highest level.