Changing
Cuba
 |
| Cuba's aging revolutionaries have been in charge for more than 50 years |
The
Communist Party of Cuba has announced that it will consider President Raul
Castro's unprecedented call for term limits for all government officials.
A statement
said the party conference in January would discuss a maximum of two five-year
terms.
The
document also called for the promotion of qualified young leaders.
Earlier
this year, President Castro said Cuba must prepare a new generation to take over.
Raul
Castro, who is now 80, said the same limits would apply to him.
He took
over from his brother, Fidel, in 2008. Between them, they have ruled Cuba for
52 years since 1959.
Renewal
The
statement on the proposal for term limits will be discussed at party meetings
in the coming months.
It said the
aim was to achieve a "gradual renewal in leadership".
The
proposal also spoke of a need to promote racial and gender diversity in
positions of responsibility.
However, it
reaffirmed the Communist Party's position as the only one allowed in Cuba.
The
document also warned that the government's foreign enemies were "lurking
and waiting to pounce".
"The
imperialists pin their hopes on the supposed vulnerability of the new
generations... They try to foment division, apathy, dismay... and a lack of
confidence in the leadership of the revolution and the party," it said.
President
Castro raised the issue in April at the start of the first congress of Cuba's
ruling Communist Party for 14 years.
He said the
party leadership was in need of renewal and should subject itself to severe
self-criticism.
In his
speech then, Raul Castro said the limit of two consecutive five-year terms
would apply to "the current president of the Council of State and his
ministers" - a reference to himself.
The
proposal is unprecedented under Cuban communism.
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