More than 8 million Cubans aged 16 and over are called to the polls this Sunday, March 26 to renew the National Assembly of People’s Power. Single party system requires, for the 470 seats in the unicameral Parliament, 470 candidates are in the running. The life of the population remains no less difficult, and even more so. Reporting.
With our special correspondent in Havana, Stefanie Schuler
On the communist island of Cuba, voting day is not synonymous with choosing between several candidates from different parties. On the contrary, it is a question of confirming, by more than 50% of the votes cast, the candidates pre-selected at the start of the electoral process, which began last year.
The 470 candidates who submit themselves to the vote this Sunday are thus chosen ahead of the ballot, and there is no electoral campaign. Half of the contenders come from local committees organized in each constituency. The other half is offered by social organizations close to the government.
The Parliament thus constituted then elects the Council of State and the President of the country. In theory, the electoral system allows any Cuban citizen to access the National Assembly. But the opposition denounces a process in which the Cuban Communist Party – with its influence and the vote of its militants and supporters – excludes any possibility of an opponent being elected.
” I’ll be there to represent the people »
We meet Ailyn Justiz Aguila at the International Press Center in Havana, whose representatives attend our interview. The 35-year-old is well known to Cubans. Head of the Center for Atmospheric Physics, she presents the weather daily on state television. This is the first time that she is a candidate.
She admits that she does not yet know exactly what her role as an MP will consist of. ” But what I’m sure of, she says, is that I will be there to represent the Cuban people. Regardless of the responsibilities given to me, I will assume them with determination and dedication while preserving the achievements of the revolution to go further. »
Like all elected Cubans, Ailyn Justiz Aguila will not receive any salary for her mandate as a deputy and will therefore continue her work as a meteorologist. This mother wants to contribute to the development of her country, ” in order to alleviate these moments of despair that many people go through. We must show the people that we can build a program of life “.
Report: meeting with a candidate for Parliament
” We are going through a very serious crisis »
These are the first legislative elections since President Miguel Diaz-Canel came to power. Cuba is hit by a serious economic and social crisis which, in the last year alone, has caused nearly 300,000 citizens to leave the country. Faced with increasingly difficult living conditions for the population remaining on the island, the government’s power to mobilize seems to be eroding.
The real issue in these elections could therefore be abstention, while shortages, inflation and power cuts are making life more and more difficult for Cubans. In the capital, finding food is now the main concern of citizens.
” As a mother, feeding my baby is something that is not easy, confides a woman met in Havana. My family is entitled to 2.5 kg of rice, a few beans, sugar, oil per month. This is not enough. And often there is no milk. We are going through a very serious crisis in our country. »
” Crime in Cuba is unprecedented »
Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the monetary reform of 2021, the meager income of Cubans is no longer enough to meet their basic needs. ” I have three jobs, says a man. But it’s still very hard : per month, I earn the equivalent of 24 dollars. »
A precariousness which produces consequences hitherto unknown in Cuba: the inhabitants of the capital note a clear increase in delinquency. This Havanese has suffered several assaults and snatching: ” For two months, I no longer go out after dark because I’m scared. Crime in Cuba is unprecedented ! I am 69 years old. I have never seen violence in my country like today. »
Despair seizes the population. ” We are completely unmotivated. We get up every morning to make sure everything goes well. But as soon as we set foot outside, our hope collapses. » « The majority of the population will not vote. And many more will vote blank. Because they know whoever the candidate is won’t solve their problems. »
Feature: Concerns of Cuban Voters
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