Although the term of office of the president is limited, the one-party system does not change anything.
The Cubans voted in a referendum for a far-reaching constitutional amendment. About 87 percent of the total of about eight million voters had voted for the changes, the Cuban electoral authority said.
Among other things, the new constitution stipulates that a president may remain in office for only ten years. The office of prime minister is reintroduced for the first time since 1976. However, the absolute power of the Communist Party is not touched – it remains the only legal political force. (Read more about the background of the referendum here.)
In addition, the island state wants to achieve economic modernization with the constitutional amendment. Among other things, private ownership is to be recognized and the importance of foreign investment emphasized. Thus the socialist direction of the country with simultaneous economic opening is codified, it was said by the electoral authority.
Cuba’s government had campaigned in recent weeks in a large-scale campaign for a clear yes the Cubans to their new constitution. At the same time, with regard to the developments surrounding Venezuela, the government had also emphasized that the constitution defended socialism.
About the previous constitution had been voted in 1976, at that time still with 97.7 percent approval.
