Cuba Nominates Castro

Via AP:

Fidel Castro was nominated for a seat in Cuba’s parliament on Sunday, a post the ailing 81-year-old revolutionary must hold if he wants to stay on as the communist-run island’s president.

The Cuban leader was nominated by city council officials in his home province of Santiago, a step in a multitiered process that will eventually determine the ailing 81-year-old’s political status.

If Castro had failed to be nominated for a National Assembly seat it could have heralded a decision to remove himself from power since holding a seat is a prerequisite for the presidency.

However, his nomination does not guarantee that he will remain in power since he might win a seat in parliament but then not be elected as head of Cuba’s supreme governing body, the Council of State.

Castro still officially heads the council, but has not been seen in public since emergency intestinal surgery forced him to cede power to a provisional government run by his younger brother Raul in July 2006.

In recent government videos he has appeared lucid and Cuban officials say he is vigorous, recovering and on top of political events.

Cuban legislators will be chosen in national elections Jan. 20.

• Tuesday, March 4, 2008 -- After Fidel, The Deluge
• Tuesday, February 19, 2008 -- Exit, stage right
• Wednesday, April 23, 2008 -- Cryptic reflection on the state of military affairs
• Thursday, February 28, 2008 -- Raúl’s rise
• Friday, February 15, 2008 -- Miscellany…
• Wednesday, January 16, 2008 -- Fidel and retirement
• Sunday, January 6, 2008 -- Fidel Castro will be cast aside from power
• Sunday, January 6, 2008 -- Generational Shift
• Friday, December 28, 2007 -- Fidel’s Last Riddle
• Wednesday, December 26, 2007 -- Castro Parliament Bid Supported

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