Miguel Díaz-Canel, the leader of Cuba, once again defended the country's political system and the unanimous approval of its laws by the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP). He described this practice as characteristic of a "rare dictatorship" like Cuba's, driven by the people's interests.
In his closing speech at the third ordinary session of the 10th Legislature of the ANPP, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) justified the legislative ratification process. This process has often been criticized for its display of unanimity, lacking open opposition or dissenting votes, resembling the democratic farces exhibited by totalitarian regimes.
"The National Assembly, which sums up and synthesizes our country, votes almost all its agreements unanimously. This provokes criticism from those who do not understand that behind this unanimity lie long and intense hours of work, debate, and consensus-building for the collective interest," said Díaz-Canel.
According to the leader appointed by General Raúl Castro, the unanimity of votes among Cuban parliamentarians hides a laborious process of "debate and consensus-building" that supposedly reflects the diversity of opinions of the citizens and voters represented by the ANPP deputies. However, Díaz-Canel ignored that this diversity of opinions and visions is nullified when laws are adopted unanimously.
"I think it's worth saying. Cuba is not led by one person, not even by a small group of people. This is the rare dictatorship that the enemies of the revolution will never understand. The dictatorship of the workers. The dictatorship of the people we represent, elected by popular vote," stated the leader.
Those who fail to understand how Cuban "democracy" works (this "rare dictatorship," according to Díaz-Canel) immediately join the ranks of the so-called "enemies of the revolution" and are excluded as subjects of political rights in the Cuban regime, which has been approving laws by decree or unanimous votes for over 60 years.
"It is now our responsibility to change what needs to be changed and advance along the path taken 65 years ago to achieve emancipation by ourselves and with our efforts, according to the concept of revolution bequeathed to us by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz," reaffirmed Díaz-Canel in his speech.
According to the leader, the third ordinary session of the 10th Legislature of the ANPP discussed and agreed on various topics, all very sensitive for the Cuban nation, such as the price cap imposed on "new economic actors," the production and distribution of food, and the correction of other distortions to boost the economy.
In addition to the vague and incoherent propaganda rhetoric of the regime, Díaz-Canel also criticized the political systems of advanced Western democracies, which he called "masquerades exhibited in the empire's showcases." With his invective, the Palace occupant dismissed all the support and solidarity expressed by parliamentarians from these same democracies, as well as initiatives promoted from their seats.
"We will never accept as valid the masquerade democracy exhibited in the empire's showcases, where candidates are evaluated by the amount of money given to them. And where candidates, instead of proposing real changes to the major problems of their country, each tries to defeat their adversary with disqualifications and insults," he sentenced.
He also referred to the U.S. Congress as a place "where honest legislators interested in serving their communities are forced to legislate alongside genuine bandits, servants of lobbyists, of the arms industry, and other infamous businesses that have sustained policies against Cuba for decades as if it were a matter of internal politics."
"If something honors us as a nation, it is the integration of this Assembly, the genuinely Cuban character of each legislature, where no extra fees are paid," concluded the leader, garnering unanimous applause from the conclave.
Understanding Cuba's Political System and Unanimous Votes
To provide clarity on the controversial political system in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
Why does the Cuban National Assembly vote unanimously?
The Cuban government claims that unanimous votes are the result of extensive debate and consensus-building efforts, reflecting the collective interests of the people.
What criticisms are there of Cuba's unanimous voting system?
Critics argue that the system lacks genuine opposition and democratic diversity, resembling totalitarian regimes where dissent is not tolerated.
How does Díaz-Canel justify the political system in Cuba?
Díaz-Canel defends the system by claiming it is a "dictatorship of the people" guided by the collective interests and efforts of the Cuban population.