Cubans start search for successor to Raul Castro

Hava, Sept 5: Thousands of Cubans gathered in neighbourhood assemblies to nomite candidates for local and regiol representatives, marking the first step toward the eventual election of a successor to top leader Raul Castro.

In this first stage, which will run until September 30, two or more candidates for “delegates” will be nomited in the more than 12,000 districts of the country based on their merits, prestige and ability, Xinhua news agency reported.

In one of Old Hava’s most popular neighbourhoods, about 200 people met in a street adorned with Cuban flags and a banner with a picture of the late Fidel Castro to nomite the candidates who will best represent them over the next two-and-a-half years.

On Monday night, an assembly was held in each of the country’s 168 municipalities. (IANS)