Havana, Cuba.- The popular consultation on the new Cuban Draft Constitution today enters fifth week of a phase scheduled until November 15, marked by growing debates in and outside the island.

The beginning of the 2018-2019 school year last week and the participation of Cuban residents abroad promise a greater diversity of criteria and proposals to modify, adhere or suppress what is stated in the letter of the constitution.

Among the main issues addressed to date are the changes in the institution of marriage and in the structure of the State; the creation of the figures of the president, prime minister and governors; the duties and rights of citizens and economic foundations.

During an unprecedented event, more than 1,400,000 Cuban residents outside the island offer their views on the Draft Constitution since the beginning of this month, through a section on the Nation and Emigration website of the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

According to data from the Foreign Ministry, almost 1,000 criteria were registered from 91 countries during the first week of participation.

In this way, all Cubans, regardless of their geographical location, have the opportunity to comment and contribute to the construction of the new law.

All Cuban citizens over 16 years of age were invited to express their opinions by the National Assembly, which approved the draft on July 22.

Although this is a total reform of the Constitution, in force since 1976, the new text ratifies the socialist nature of the State and the role of the Cuban Communist Party as a fundamental pillar of unity and political, economic and social order.

Members of the parliamentary commission in charge of drafting the Constitution stated that the criteria issued will be taken into account and will enrich the text for the preparation of the final document, which will be submitted to a popular referendum.