Куба Ұлттық Біліктілік Парламенті

Legislative parliament of Cuba

The National Assembly of People's Power (lang es) is the supreme organ of power of the Republic of Cuba. It is the only branch of government in the state, and per the principle of unified power, all state organs are subservient to it. It is currently composed of 470 representatives who are elected from multi member electoral districts for a term of five years called consejos populares. The current President of the Assembly is Esteban Lazo Hernández. The Assembly only meets twice a year, with the 31 member Council of State exercising legislative power throughout the rest of the year. The most recent elections were held on 26 March 2023. The number of deputies was reduced from 605 to 470 for the 2023 election. Liberal democracy is not practiced in Assembly elections in post 1959 revolutionary Cuba because the ruling Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) government does not permit competitive elections. Cuba is a one party state, with the PCC being described as the "superior driving force of the society and the state" in the Constitution of Cuba, and all other political parties are illegal. Voters can either select individual candidates on their ballot, select every candidate, or leave every question blank, but voters have no option to vote against candidates. During the 2013 elections, around 80% of voters selected every candidate for the Assembly on their ballot, while 4.6% of voters submitted a blank ballot; no candidate for the Assembly has ever lost an election in Cuban history.

The Assembly is a unicameral (one chamber) parliament and the only body in Cuba that is vested with both constituent and legislative authority (although the government may pass decrees that have the force of law). It holds two regular sessions a year, which are public unless the Assembly itself votes to hold them behind closed doors for reasons of state. It has permanent commissions to look after issues of legislative interest at times when the Assembly is not in session. Under the Constitution of Cuba, the Assembly is the "supreme body of state power" in Cuba. The National Assembly has the power to amend the Constitution; to pass, amend, and repeal laws; to debate and approve national plans for economic development, the State budget, credit and financial programs; and to set guidelines for domestic and foreign policies. It hears the reports from national government and administration agencies and can also grant amnesties. Among its permanent or temporary commissions are those in charge of issues concerning the economy, the sugar industry, food production, industries, transportation and communications, constructions, foreign affairs, public health, defense, and interior order. The National Assembly also has permanent departments that oversee the work of the Commissions, Local Assemblies, Judicial Affairs, and Administration.

During the existence of the First Republic, Cuba had a bicameral legislature, that – consisting of the Senate (upper house) and House of Representatives (lower house) – was modeled after the United States. Its sessions were held in El Capitolio from 1929 to 1959. The Assembly originated from the nationwide elections held in 1976 following the ratification of the 1976 Constitution. Elected officials, according to the procedures established by law, met for the first time on 2 December 1976, thus formally setting up the Cuban Parliament. The Constitution, approved in a constitutional referendum on 14 February 1976, empowered the National Assembly as the supreme body of State power.

Up to 50% of the candidates must be chosen by the Municipal Assemblies. The candidates are otherwise proposed by nominating assemblies, which comprise representatives of workers, youth, women, students, and farmers, as well as members of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, after initial mass meetings soliciting a first list of names. The final list of candidates is drawn up by the National Candidature Commission taking into account criteria such as candidates' merit, patriotism, ethical values, and revolutionary history.

Legislature Years President Vice president Secretary I Legislature 1976–1981 Blas Roca Calderío Raúl Roa José Arañaburu García II Legislature 1981–1986 Flavio Bravo Pardo Jorge Lezcano Pérez III Legislature 1986–1993 Flavio Bravo Pardo (1986–d. 1987)Severo Aguirre del Cristo (1987–d. 1990)Juan Escalona Reguera (1990–1993) Severo Aguirre del Cristo (1986–d. 1990)Zoila Benitez de Mendoza (1990–1993) Ernesto Suárez Méndez IV Legislature 1993–1998 Ricardo Alarcón Jaime Crombet Hernández Baquero V Legislature 1998–2003 VI Legislature 2003–2008 VII Legislature 2008–2013 Jaime Crombet Hernández Baquero (2008–2012)Ana María Marí Machado (2012–2013) Miriam Brito Saroca VIII Legislature 2013–2018 Esteban Lazo Hernández Ana María Marí Machado IX Legislature 2018–2023 Homero Acosta Álvarez