Raúl Castro elected president by Cuba's National Assembly
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:10 pm
Fidel's Brother Voted Cuban President
Updated:20:44, Sunday February 24, 2008
Raul Castro has succeeded his brother Fidel as Cuba's president in a historic power shift expected to keep Havana firmly on its communist path.
Fidel, 81, who ruled the country for nearly 50 years, stepped down five days ago after suffering months of poor health.
His career frustrated efforts by 10 US presidents to oust him.
After voting for 76-year-old Raul to replace Fidel, Cuba's parliament accepted the new ruler's proposal to consult with his sibling on all major decisions of state.
Raul was the only candidate put forward for the position.
Jose Ramon Machado, who fought alongside the Castro brothers in the Sierra Maestra during the late 1950s, took the No. 2 slot that Raul had previously held.
Fidel's seat in the National Assembly was empty but, as the new National Assembly's 614 members were read aloud, mention of the absent Castro drew a standing ovation.
The transition was likely to bring few major policy shifts by the communist government.
But many Cubans have expressed hope it would open the door to modest economic openings and an improvement in their daily lives.
Raul headed Cuba's caretaker government for the past 19 months after Fidel announced he had intestinal surgery and was provisionally ceding his powers.
Updated:20:44, Sunday February 24, 2008
Raul Castro has succeeded his brother Fidel as Cuba's president in a historic power shift expected to keep Havana firmly on its communist path.
Fidel, 81, who ruled the country for nearly 50 years, stepped down five days ago after suffering months of poor health.
His career frustrated efforts by 10 US presidents to oust him.
After voting for 76-year-old Raul to replace Fidel, Cuba's parliament accepted the new ruler's proposal to consult with his sibling on all major decisions of state.
Raul was the only candidate put forward for the position.
Jose Ramon Machado, who fought alongside the Castro brothers in the Sierra Maestra during the late 1950s, took the No. 2 slot that Raul had previously held.
Fidel's seat in the National Assembly was empty but, as the new National Assembly's 614 members were read aloud, mention of the absent Castro drew a standing ovation.
The transition was likely to bring few major policy shifts by the communist government.
But many Cubans have expressed hope it would open the door to modest economic openings and an improvement in their daily lives.
Raul headed Cuba's caretaker government for the past 19 months after Fidel announced he had intestinal surgery and was provisionally ceding his powers.
