Reuters reports on the extension of Communist Cuba’s Parliament of the legal duration of the presidency of Raul Castro for two months.
National Assembly meetings which take place twice a year, has decided to postpone the re-election of the head of state because of serious damage caused by proshedshimi island hurricane «Irma». Some of those who watched the political situation in Cuba believe that it is rather a measure necessary to gain stability in the process of a leadership change.
The Castro brothers have been in power for 60 years. Their main successor, first Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Kanel’, born a year after the revolution, won much less support of the voters.
Cuba has postponed this year’s elections, scheduled for October, because of the devastation caused by the hurricane. Economy Minister Ricardo Cabrisas said that the damage caused by «Irma», is estimated at 13,2 billion dollars.
Political changes in Cuba were accompanied by other tests, such as refusing to help the socialist ally Venezuela, and the perennial tightening of the embargo by the US.
As stated by the Minister of tourism Manuel Marrero, the number of tourists visiting Cuba increased by 19.7 percent this year and amounted to 4.3 million in 11 months. Cabrisas said: «Thanks to the efforts of the government next year is expected to economic growth to 2 percent.»
