The National Assembly of the People’s Power held the constitutive session of its Tenth Legislature on April 20 at the Havana Convention Center. This is the first legislature following the approval of the new Constitution in 2019. The session was attended by the leader of the Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz,
The president of the National Electoral Council (CEN in Spanish) Alina Balseiro Gutiérrez expressed that, in compliance with the electoral regulations in force, the deputies meet to constitute the Tenth Legislature of the ANPP.
She explained that the session is presided in the first part by the CEN with the participation of Consuelo Baeza Martín, president of the National Nominations Commission (NCC), and representatives of the mass organizations.
After explaining the composition of the new Parliament, she announced that all the certificates of election of deputies had been previously examined and validated.
She affirmed that 462 deputies were present, for 98.13% of attendance; therefore she decreed that there was the quorum established for the constitution of the ANPP.
Yarisleidis Cirilo Duboys, the youngest legislator, from Guantánamo, read the oath, and then proceeded to the ratification and signing of the document by all the deputies.
ELECTION OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
In accordance with the Electoral Law, the National Nominations Commission requested the deputies to send, in advance and in writing, the proposals the members of the parliament who they consider would be at the leadership positions of the ANPP.
This transparent, democratic and participatory process, in the words of the President of the CCN, strengthens the country's democracy, represents and expresses the sovereign will of all the people, and one of its attributions consist of deciding on the constitutionality of Laws, Decree-Laws, Decrees and other general provisions.
Baeza Martin presented the proposals to fill the positions of President, Vice President and Secretary of the ANPP before the newly constituted Parliament and the 18 proposals for candidacy for members of the Council of State.
Based on the written proposals, it was proposed to confirm Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, Ana María Mari Machado and Homero Acosta Álvarez, as President, Vice President and Secretary of the ANPP and of the Council of State, respectively.
The deputies expressed that the candidates for members of the Council of State meet the requirements to give continuity to the work of the Revolution and will know how to enforce what is established in the Constitution, and in the laws and provisions.
After voting and approving the nomination project presented, the vote was carried out by free, equal, direct and secret ballot.
When announcing the results of the elections for the leadership of the Parliament in its Tenth Legislature, Ms. Balseiro Gutiérrez informed that out all of the 462 deputies present voted.
She added that 461 of the ballots deposited in the ballot boxes were valid, of which 437 voted for all and one was blank.
The President of the CEN informed that, in compliance with the regulations and for having obtained more than 50% of the valid votes cast, the leadership of the Assembly was composed as follows:
-Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández as President of the ANPP with 96.1 % of the votes.
-Ana María Mari Machado, Vice President, with 99.13 % of the votes.
-Homero Acosta Álvarez, secretary, with 98.92 % of the votes.
ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE
-Aylín Álvarez García
-Teresa Amarelle Boué
-Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento
-Gerardo Hernández Nordelo
-Beatriz Johnson Urrutia
-Miriam Nicado García
-Yoerky Sánchez Cuéllar
-Rafael Santiesteban Pozo
-Yuri Valdés Balbín
-Yurisa Lahera Mansfarroll
-Maricela Figueredo Rosales
-Juana Yamilka Viñals Suárez
-Taymí Martínez Naranjo
-Angélica María Chorens Fernández
-Omara Durand Elías
-Iván Santos Prieto
-Julio Emilio Morejón Pérez
-Elier Ramírez Cañedo
COMMITMENT TO OUR PEOPLE AND THE REVOLUTION
Upon taking office, Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and of the Council of State, expressed his gratitude, on behalf of those elected, for the trust deposited with the vote and reiterated the commitment with the people and the Revolution.
“The date of April 19, the date on which the APP meets,” he said, “has a marked symbolism for all Cubans. That spirit of struggle and victory strengthens and guides us in this Legislature."
He said that the Ninth Legislature left important experiences that the present Legislature must consolidate and perfect. He recalled that, in the sessions of the previous legislature, the new Constitution was approved and a broad legislative agenda was carried out.
"We will fulfill the oath signed today before our hardened, noble and revolutionary people with honor and loyalty," he concluded.
ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC.
In compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Law, president of the CCN Consuelo Baeza Martín presented the candidacy for the election of the President and Vice President of the Republic before the deputies.
She stated that the candidates proposed for these responsibilities fulfill the requirements established by the Constitution of the Republic to occupy such positions.
For President of the Republic, it was proposed to confirm the deputy and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who has led the country with dedication, firmness and courage in difficult circumstances in recent years.
She added that his main work styles are to take advantage of the collective intelligence to face problems and the philosophy that collective knowledge is better that individual knowledge, and his spirit of optimism in the worst circumstances.
It was also proposed to confirm Salvador Valdés Mesa, deputy and member of the Political Bureau of the Party, as Vice President of the Republic. Bueno’s performance during his previous tenure was praised for his high level of responsibility while dealing with strategic issues such as agriculture, food sovereignty, strengthening of government bodies and agro-ecological development.
He was also praised for his modesty, his ability to listen to others, his knowledge of the country's strategic sectors and his vast experience in the trade union world.
Yuri Valdés Balbín, deputy for the municipality of La Lisa, in Havana, and member of the Council of State, expressed that in moments like this, when they have the responsibility of electing the country's top leadership, that the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, and Army General Raúl Castro Ruz are most remembered, since they were both examples of this.
After counting the votes, Alina Balseiro Gutiérrez, president of the CEN announced the reelection of the deputy and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez as President of the Republic of Cuba.
She explained that the 462 deputies present voted, of which 460 were valid ballots and two were blank. A total of 459 votes were counted in favor of Díaz-Canel, for 97.66% of the votes.
Likewise, deputy and member of the Political Bureau of the Party, Salvador Valdés Mesa, was reelected as Vice President of the Republic of Cuba, with 439 votes in favor, for 93.4 % of the votes.
Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the ANPP and of the Council of State, after the results of the voting were exposed, confirmed Díaz-Canel and Valdés Mesa in the positions of President and Vice President of the Republic, respectively.
Translated by ESTI
