Cuba:Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro was nominated yesterday for a seat in the National Assembly, a sign he may not be planning to step down despite struggling to recover from a long illness.
Dr Castro (81) handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul, 16 months ago after life-threatening stomach surgery and he has not been seen in public since. To formally remain president, he must be a deputy in the assembly.
To cries of "Viva Fidel", municipal councillors in Santiago raised their hands to unanimously approve his name on a slate of candidates for elections on January 20th to Cuba's national parliament. Since 1976, Dr Castro has represented Santiago, the cradle of his revolution.
His illness last year forced him to step aside and allies say he was close to death, but that his condition improved.
"During his convalescence, he has continued to be actively involved in the country's most important strategic decisions," stated a biography attached to Dr Castro's candidacy. He remained intellectually active, it added writing about the most pressing problems facing Cuba and the human species.
At its first session in March, the National Assembly must ratify the country's top political jobs, a key meeting that will settle speculation about Dr Castro's possible retirement. "The fact he has been nominated as a candidate to the National Assembly does not necessarily imply that he will be on the Council of State [Cuba's top executive body]," a government official said.
Dr Castro, in power since 1959, has only appeared in official photographs and pre-taped videos, looking frail. If he is too ill, the assembly could appoint Raul Castro as successor.
Many Cubans expect Dr Castro to retire to the role of elder statesman.
- (Reuters)