Raul Castro calls for changes in communist party

The Cuban communist party is holding its first congress in 14 years, the first without Fidel Castro. The congress also indicates Fidel's brother Raul’s determination to rejuvenate the party. Raul Castro calls for changes in communist party The Congress will formalize Raul’s leadership of the country, but the party leadership is set for a shake-up. “We have arrived at the conclusion that it would be best to limit political and state positions to a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms,” he said. Raul observed it was “embarrassing” that in 50 years the party had been unable to establish a steady stream of fresh blood in the party’s higher echelons, and that it ran the risk of being unable to replace the current elderly leadership with well-trained successors. In all 311 proposed reforms will be debated in the four-day meeting.

Raul Castro calls for changes in communist party

The Congress will formalize Raul’s leadership of the country, but the party leadership is set for a shake-up.

“We have arrived at the conclusion that it would be best to limit political and state positions to a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms,” he said.

Raul observed it was “embarrassing” that in 50 years the party had been unable to establish a steady stream of fresh blood in the party’s higher echelons, and that it ran the risk of being unable to replace the current elderly leadership with well-trained successors.

In all 311 proposed reforms will be debated in the four-day meeting.