The proclamation of the new Constitution and its entry in force on April 10, 2019 certainly set the path towards the institutionalization of the country.
From that date on, in addition to becoming the roadmap for the years to come, the Constitution has been the unchanging guide to every step taken towards a Socialist State of law and order.
The new Constitution means that Cuba is currently in the middle of an unprecedented, intense legislative activity, an activity that have maintained a steady pace with a few adjustments due to the pandemic.
Juridically speaking, the priorities have focused on the overhauling of the structures of the State and Government of the nation and the strengthening of their acts.
A little over a year and half of that historic April, when it was paid tribute to the best kept memories of the country, five new laws have been approved and four others have just been passed in the Fifth Session of the National Assembly of the People’s Power in its Ninth Legislature.
LAW NO. 127, ELECTORAL LAW
The first law derived from the new Constitution, it establishes the principles for the election of the representatives to the National Assembly, its president, vice-president and secretary; the State Council, the president and vice-president of the Republic; the members of the National Electoral Commission, provincial governors and deputy governors, and representatives to the municipal assemblies of the People’s Power, their presidents and vice-presidents.
It also gains from previous experiences that contribute to the organization and functioning of the processes within the Cuban electoral system.
LAW NO. 128, NATIONAL SYMBOLS LAW
It upgrades the normative in force and gives a more precise description to its contents to guarantee a more open use of the national symbols and a higher presence in society, within a rule of law and order.
Law No. 129, Fishing Law
It sets the regulations for the correct regulation, management and monitoring of fishing, in term of preservation and appropriate use of the hydrobiological resources in the water bodies. It is another step towards food sovereignty.
Law No. 131, Of the Organization and Functioning of the National Assembly of the People’s Power and the Council of State
It merges in one law the functioning of both organs, whose activities converges more in the new structure of the State. The new law strengthens its functioning and establishes its functions and mandates without altering the essence of the Cuban political system.
Law No. 132, On the Organization and Functioning of the Municipal Assemblies of the People’s Power and the People’s Councils
It includes the experiences of the overhauling process of the organs of the People’s Powers to strengthen our democracy and the constant attention and engagement with the population, a key factor in the life of the country.
Law of Foreign Service
This proposed bill seeks to centralize in one law, the functioning of the State in the Foreign Service, according to the principles of the foreign policy and revolutionary diplomacy. Likewise, it establishes the functions within the diplomatic and consular missions, as well as the powers and obligations common to all members of the Foreign Service, and the requirements for the admission and continuance in the foreign service.
LAW OF THE ORGANIZATON AND FUNCTIONING OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
This law establishes the functions of the Council of Ministers and its Executive Committee, as well as those of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, the Secretary and other members of the Council of Ministers. These functions are governed by the provisions of the Constitution and other statutes.
LAW OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
This law has no precedent in Cuba and it establishes the obligations, requirements and procedures for the election of the president and the vice-president. It also outlines the temporary inability to fulfill their duties for certain reasons.
LAW OF THE RECALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANS OF THE PEOPLE’S POWER
This law outlines the causes of the revocation process and among other aspects, it sets the procedures for the revocation of the mandate of the members of the municipal assemblies, its presidents and vice-presidents, governors and vice-governors, of the members of the National Assembly of the People’s Power, its president, vice-president and the secretary, as well as the members of the Council of State and the president and vice-president of the Republic.
Translated by ESTI
